Armed man involved in car crash fatally shot by trooper, NC Highway Patrol says

A car crash investigation turned deadly when a state trooper confronted an uncooperative man armed with a gun, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

It happened around 4:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec., 6, in Granite Falls, about a 65-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

“It was reported by first responders on the scene that an involved party was armed with a handgun. The (trooper) arrived at the collision scene and encountered the armed individual,” the State Highway Patrol said in a news release.

“The subject continued to display a handgun and was not complying with the member’s commands. The member fired a duty issued weapon striking the suspect.”

Scott Patrick Seagle, 48, died after being taken to hospital, officials said. He lived in Hickory.

The trooper, who was not injured, has been identified as Senior Trooper William Miller. He is a 5-year-veteran of the department, assigned to work in Caldwell County, officials said.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating the shooting. Miller has been put on administrative duty pending the outcome, which is standard procedure.

Details of the crash that preceded the shooting were not released. It happened on Grace Chapel Road.

This story was originally published December 7, 2025 at 6:14 AM with the headline "Armed man involved in car crash fatally shot by trooper, NC Highway Patrol says."