5 dead after North Carolina deputy's pursuit leads to crash

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Five people were killed Saturday night after the driver of a stolen vehicle ran a red light and crashed into another car on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., a Guilford County deputy spotted a suspicious 2003 silver Acura, which turned out to be stolen from Greensboro, according to a press release from Greensboro police.

The deputy ran the license plate number through the National Crime Information Center database and the car was reported stolen from a parking lot at an apartment complex on East Meadowview Road on Sept. 13.

The deputy activated his blue lights as the car proceeded south on Battleground Avenue.

The deputy was about one-quarter mile behind the suspect vehicle which accelerated to a high rate of speed and ran a red light at New Garden Road and Battleground Avenue, according to a Guilford County Sheriff's Office press release.

A Kia Optima crossing Battleground Avenue, which had the right of way, was struck by the stolen vehicle.

The people in both vehicles were killed. There were two females in the victim vehicle, and two males and one female in the suspect vehicle.

A dog in the Optima survived and is with relatives of his owner, according to police.

Police are still trying to positively identify two of the victims in the stolen vehicle. No names have been released.

Both vehicles were total losses and towed from the scene. Several vehicles near the crash were damaged by flying debris, but nobody else was hurt, according to police.

Battleground Avenue was closed for about nine hours, but has since reopened.

Anyone with information about this case can call Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000 or text keyword "badboyz" and the tip to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.