Deputy thrown from squad car as it flips, hits pole, crashes in ditch, NC cops say

A deputy rushing to a call was thrown from his patrol car when it flipped and crashed in the dark, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

It happened around 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, in China Grove, as multiple deputies were helping China Grove police capture an armed suspect on foot.

“Two of the deputies were traveling on South Main Street near Corriher Gravel Road when one of the deputies appeared to hydroplane on the wet street and lost control of his vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

“The vehicle rolled over, struck a utility pole and landed in a ditch. At some point, the deputy was ejected from the vehicle.”

The deputy was not seriously hurt, officials said. In fact, “he was able to stand up and walk on his own,” the sheriff’s office said. “He was transported by EMS to a local hospital for observation and treatment,” officials said.

The deputy’s identity and details of his condition were not released.

The N.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

China Grove is about a 35-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 5:49 AM with the headline "Deputy thrown from squad car as it flips, hits pole, crashes in ditch, NC cops say."