RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A 21-year-old Raleigh man faces several charges connected to a Monday afternoon police pursuit that ended with a crash.
Investigators said the chase ended around 4:45 p.m. when the suspect, later identified by as Ronie Demitri Hyman, crashed a stolen vehicle near Western Boulevard’s intersection with Varsity Drive.
Police reports indicate Hyman stole a 2011 GMC Terrain from the 1000 block of North King Charles Road. Warrants for Hyman’s arrest said officers spotted the vehicle and followed on a highway, Raleigh Boulevard, Rock Quarry Road, and Western Boulevard. The SUV collided with a sedan during the chase.
“One of the officers on the scene fired his service weapon during the incident. The driver was not struck by any rounds, and the vehicle continued to flee from police,” a Raleigh Police spokesperson said in a media release.
The chase came to a close when the stolen vehicle’s tires burst.
“Hey, let’s try to get fire department here,” an officer said over the radio. “Car still has flames coming out of it. We’re going to be secure here in about 30 seconds. Hopefully we can get handcuffs on him.”
Investigators charged Hyman with larceny of a motor vehicle, fleeing to elude arrest, hit and run, and reckless driving to endanger. He appeared in court Tuesday afternoon after his release from WakeMed Hospital.
Defense attorney Josiah Fapojuwo represented Hyman in previous cases and anticipates defending him again. He said that the 21-year-old has serious mental health issues. He told the judge that evaluations need to take place to assess Hyman’s mental capacity.
Hyman’s initial bond was $60,000, but Wake County First Assistant District Attorney Howard Cummings asked the judge to increase it $360,000.
“This defendant is clearly a danger to himself and to the public at this time. Until we have another assessment and Mr. Fapojuwo or whoever his lawyer is, can find a place for him, where he can comply with his meds and where he can be productive, he needs to stay in jail,” Cummings said.
“I don’t think (his parents) intend to post it, but I think, for their benefit, it needs to be at a point that they certainly can’t post it so he cannot hold that against them,” he said.
“Mr. Fapojuwo and I have been trying for the last two years to find a place for this gentleman. He’s fine when he takes his meds, but the only place he gets his meds is at home, and he does not like to stay at home and go by the rules.”
Hyman remained in jail for his first court appearance, and deputies used a video call for him to face the judge. He got up from his seat and walked out twice while the judge addressed his charges and terms of release. At one point while Cummings was speaking, Hyman stood again and began to undress, attempting to remove the padded smock the corrections officers assigned him to wear.
Fapojuwo had to stop Hyman from speaking about his child, and did not fight the prosecution’s request for an increased bond.
“I’m sure that he would like for me to ask your honor not to increase the bond and set conditions that keep himself safe and others safe. We understand the state’s position. I have spoken with his family today and they share the same concerns,” Fapojuwo said.
“Everybody wants to make sure that Ronie’s OK and continues to take care himself, so I feel that your honor will do what is appropriate.”
The judge set Hyman’s next court date for Sept. 5.
He has pending charges in another case involving a stolen vehicle and a confrontation with a police officer.
“The defendant picked up charges for stealing a motor vehicle and trying to run over a policeman and two members of a band. He was near a night club and the vehicle belonged to the band members,” Cummings said.
The assistant district attorney also told the judge about a case six months prior to that incident, in which prosecutors charged Hyman with assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. Investigators said he fired shots into occupied property, which Fapojuwo said might have been a car.
The crash closed the inbound lanes of Western Boulevard while police investigated.
The owner of the stolen vehicle called 911. They calmly reported the suspect jumping the car and taking it.
CBS 17 spoke to witnesses of the chase and crash.
“I was panicked. I was completely frozen. I was shocked. I was shaking. I’m still shaking, a little shaken up now,” said Brittany Bass.
Bass was the passenger in her friend Keesh Jackson’s car. The pair said a driver in a light blue SUV cut them off.
“A car came out. It seemed like it came out of nowhere and just cut clean across us. The front of the car was probably inches away from us,” Bass said.
Jackson said she tried to avoid the SUV, but then realized it was being pursued by police, and the two friends were in the middle of the it.
“I am trying to move out the way some more. Every time he turned, the police turned. So it’s just like I was in a little circle. I couldn’t go anyway and I’m scared because I almost lost my life in a matter of seconds,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the suspect’s vehicle hit a sign and a pole before catching fire. Bass said the car’s tires had come off.
