Woman Critically Injured In I-85 Crash Caused By Durham Man Fleeing Police

A 22-year-old man from Durham was arrested on a charge of felony hit-and-run in connection to an April 5 crash on Interstate 85 in which a woman from Maryland suffered serious personal injuries, according to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.

Major Ricky Buchanan said that Demarquis Griggs had been placed in Durham County Jail on $300,000 bond. He is faced with numerous other charges in connection to the incident, which occurred at around 5 p.m. He has been charged with two counts of resisting arrest, felony fleeing, felony possession of marijuana, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a revoked license, and driving at a rate of 120 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Griggs was initially stopped on southbound I-85 near Roxboro Road by police, according to Buchanan, but he refused to roll down his window before speeding off. Buchanan said he was wanted on several outstanding warrants.

Officers gave chase, but stopped pursuing Griggs at Cole Mill Road. According to Buchanan, he continued driving his 1991 Acura Legend south and struck a Toyota pickup truck driven by 20-year-old Maryland resident Laura Lovett.

Buchanan said that after the crash, Griggs jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot, but he was apprehended by police not long after.

Lovett received air transport to Duke Hospital where she was listed in critical condition.