‘Impaired’ US Marine takes fire department truck, then crashes it, NC police say

A 20-year-old U.S. Marine had been drinking when he climbed into a fire department truck, activated the emergency equipment, then drove away, according to police in eastern North Carolina.

The joyride ended in a crash and a list of felony charges, including offering a $15,000 bribe to the arresting officers, the Wilmington Police Department reports.

Investigators say the squad truck was on a call when it suddenly disappeared.

“On Sunday morning, around 3:20 a.m., members of the Wilmington Fire Department responded to a call for service in the 300 block of N. Water Street,” police said in a May 18 news release.

“During the incident, 20-year-old Michael Fanning Jr. of Texas entered a Wilmington Fire Department squad truck and drove away with emergency equipment activated.”

Police officers were nearby directing traffic, and they quickly began pursuing the $60,000 truck, officials said.

“However, Fanning failed to stop and fled the area. The incident ended when the stolen vehicle crashed into a pole near the intersection of North MacMillan Avenue and Pine Grove Drive,” police said.

“Following the crash, Fanning charged at and assaulted a law enforcement officer before being taken into custody.”

One deputy was punched in the face, and another was struck by the fire department truck, court documents report. Details of their injuries were not released.

Fanning is from Ennis, Texas, about a 35-mile drive southeast from Dallas, an arrest warrant says.

He is a lance corporal assigned to the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, division officials told The Charlotte Observer.

“The incident is currently under investigation by Wilmington Police Department and 2nd Marine Division is fully cooperating with local officials on this matter,” division officials said.

Fanning has been charged with:

• Felony speeding to elude arrest with aggravating factors
• Felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury
• Felony offering bribes
• Felony larceny from motor vehicle
• Driving while impaired
• Driving after consuming alcohol, under age 21
• Resist/delay/obstruct public officers
• Assault on a government official/law enforcement officer
• Communicating threats

Wilmington is about a 130-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.

The North Carolina coast is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Cherry Point.