SALISBURY — A morning chase that began on the highway with a motorcyclist driving 96 mph in a 70 mph zone ended in a crash on South Caldwell Street, according to a deputy from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Nathan Naturile said he attempted to stop the motorcycle, which had no plates and was possibly stolen, but after signaling as if he was pulling over, the driver gunned the engine and took off on the bike.

He traveled through numerous city streets before turning onto South Caldwell, traveling 80 mph. The deputy said the motorcyclist did one u-turn, which the deputy followed, and when the biker attempted a second u-turn, he hit the cruiser. Naturile said he jumped out of his cruiser and grabbed the driver, who dragged the deputy down the road. The deputy threw the biker off of him and the motorcycle landed on the deputy, but by that time additional officers had arrived and were able to help take the motorcyclist into custody.

This is still unfolding and identification of the motorcyclist and any possible charges are not yet available.