By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested after police say he led them on a high speed chase through downtown Salisbury, ending in Granite Quarry when police blew the man’s tires late Thursday night.
According to Salisbury Police, Dwuan Blackwell, 42, turned around after seeing a traffic checkpoint near the intersection of South Railroad Street and Military Avenue just before 9 p.m.
Blackwell, of 106 Crawford St., accelerated his burgundy 1992 Honda Accord after a Salisbury Police officer tried to stop the man.
The report said Blackwell refused to stop for authorities, speeding as fast as 85 mph.
Police chased Blackwell along Jake Alexander Boulevard, Old Concord Road, Heilig Road and Faith Road.
The report said officers deployed Stop Sticks on Heilig Road, blowing the Honda’s front tires.
But Blackwell continued to accelerate, the report said, and tried to hit a passing patrol car head-on, forcing the officer off the road.
Blackwell was arrested near the intersection of Walnut Street and Peeler Street in Granite Quarry after his car stalled while going up a hill because of the deflated tires.
The 42-year-old did not comply with police, even after his car came to a stop, revving the engine and trying to escape. Authorities chased Blackwell for about 6 miles.
The report said officers shouted at the man to get out of the vehicle, but he leaned into the passenger side floorboard as if to get something. Officers then stunned the man with a Taser and arrested him.
The report said Blackwell had a strong odor of alcohol.
Blackwell was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon on an officer for attempting to hit the officer head-on. He was also charged with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license and felony eluding arrest with a motor vehicle.
He was given a $7,000 bond. He was in jail as of Friday morning.