By PoliceOne Staff
EDGECOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Four people have been arrested in connection to the death of a North Carolina deputy, who died during a vehicle pursuit.
On March 11, Deputy David Manning was killed after crashing head-on with another vehicle, WITN reports. Police said Manning was attempting to pull over an intoxicated driver, 33-year-old Robert Walters, before losing control of his vehicle and crashing, according to WNCT.
Walters later crashed his vehicle about two-tenths of a mile from the deputy’s crash before fleeing the scene. Police eventually arrested him.
Police said Walters was drinking for six hours on the day of the crash. Officials said Walters “purchased and consumed the equivalent of 16 malt beverages” before leaving a bar.
“Even though Walters was in an intoxicated state, he was served malt beverages until the bar closed,” Eric Swain, special agent in charge of ALE’s Greenville district, said.
Alcohol Law Enforcement agents charged the bar owner and another employee. Officials said the employee, Cindy Mendenhall, helped jump-start Walters’ vehicle before the accident, and that she and bar owner Melanie Johnson tried to minimize how drunk Walters was.
Mendenhall faces several charges, including aid and abet DWI. Johnson’s charges include allowing a violation to occur.
Kristen Harrell, who police said is Walters’ girlfriend, also faces drug charges. ALE said she was found with pot when police interviewed her at Walters’ home.
Walters faces several charges, including DWI.
