Officers fired shots as car accelerated at them, NC police say. Driver escapes

The search continues for a driver who “suddenly accelerated” at police officers, then managed to escape as they fired shots at the vehicle, according to investigators in North Carolina.

The confrontation happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in a Fayetteville residential neighborhood, and the officers escaped injury, police said.

“Officers initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over, at which time officers began pursuing the vehicle,” Fayetteville police said in a May 13 Facebook post.

“The vehicle stopped on a neighborhood road, but as officers approached on foot, the suspect suddenly accelerated toward them. During this encounter, two officers discharged their service weapons. The suspect continued to flee.”

The vehicle then crashed into a home off Frost Drive, and the driver jumped out and ran, police said.

“It is currently unknown if the suspect sustained any injuries. We have conducted extensive ground and aerial searches, utilizing K9 units and aviation support ... to locate the driver and ensure they receive medical attention,” police said. “At this time, the suspect has not been located.”

The officers are on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident, officials said.

Fayetteville is about a 65-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.