Man arrested after injuring officers, deputy in NC pursuit

Posted: Apr 22, 2024 / 09:04 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 22, 2024 / 12:09 PM EDT

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – A man was arrested after injuring two officers and a deputy while fleeing from a traffic checkpoint in Rutherford County on Friday.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with the sheriff’s office and officers with the Forest City Police Department were working a traffic checkpoint in the area of Forest Hunt Drive in Forest City.

During the checkpoint, a vehicle came through and officers noticed narcotics in plain view inside of the vehicle.

An attempt was made to get the driver out of the vehicle. The driver resisted and took off at a high rate of speed injuring two officers.

One officer suffered a broken hand and the other officer sustained bruising on the elbow.

Deputies pursued the vehicle for about 4.2 miles before the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch and began running on foot.

Officials said deputies caught up with the driver after a short pursuit and the driver was taken into custody. During the altercation, a deputy suffered a dislocation and laceration of his finger.

Further investigation led to the discovery of the driver, Diego Salgado, to be in possession of 1.2 grams of cocaine, 39.69 grams of marijuana resin, 44.33 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Officers discovered 23.22 grams of methamphetamine and 22.36 grams of cocaine from Salgado before he fled the scene.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol also responded to the scene of the crash and cited Salgado for driving under the influence.

All injured officers were treated and released shortly after. Salgado was also injured during the crash and was taken to a hospital in Spartanburg for his injuries.

He has since been released and was taken into custody by South Carolina law enforcement where he is currently incarcerated awaiting extradition back to North Carolina on the following charges taken out by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the Forest City Police Department: