A suspect with an active warrant allegedly struck a detective with a vehicle and triggered a multi-county pursuit involving crashes and stolen vehicles.
Buncombe County, NC – A Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office detective was injured Monday morning after being struck and dragged by a suspect during a follow-up investigation in the Leicester community, authorities said. The incident unfolded just after 10:30 a.m. at a residence on Odonald Road and escalated into a multi-county pursuit.
Detectives encountered Mitchell Monroe Gunter, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, during the investigation. According to the sheriff’s office, Gunter struck Detective Watemon Jones with a vehicle and fled the scene.
Gunter was later involved in a collision at Old Leicester Highway and Mount Carmel Road, which is under investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Suspect accused of stealing vehicles during pursuit
Following the initial crash, officials said Gunter stole a truck belonging to Marsh Propane Company and drove away. He later abandoned that truck at 315 Aiken Road, where authorities say he stole another vehicle and continued fleeing.
The pursuit extended into Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties, where law enforcement agencies continued efforts to stop the suspect. The chase ended after another collision, after which Gunter was airlifted to Mission Hospital in Asheville. He is currently receiving treatment and remains in custody.
Key Points
- Detective injured after being struck and dragged during Leicester investigation Monday morning
- Suspect fled across multiple counties, stealing two vehicles and crashing several times
- Multi-agency pursuit ended with suspect hospitalized and in custody
Gunter faces multiple charges from Buncombe County, including assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting injury, assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony hit and run, resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer, failure to report an accident, driving with expired registration, driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle with no insurance, and failure to stop at a red light.
The Weaverville Police Department has also charged Gunter with larceny of a motor vehicle related to an incident within its jurisdiction.
Detective Jones was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
“Detective Jones was struck and drug by the vehicle Mr. Gunter was driving,” the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said. “Mr. Gunter then stole a truck belonging to Marsh Propane Company and drove away from the scene.”
“Detective Jones is an invaluable member of our investigative team here at the Sheriff’s Office who is loved and respected by his teammates,” said BCSO District 2 Captain Chris Stockton. “I am thankful that his injuries were not life threatening. We are thankful for the collaboration with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Weaverville Police Department, the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Avery County Sheriff’s Office that led to Mr. Gunter being apprehended. We are grateful that no one else was injured during the course of these events.”