High-speed chase ends in fatality

A 41-year-old Grover, N.C., man died early today near Blacksburg after he reportedly lost control of his truck and crashed during a police chase.

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler identified the man as Michael James Martin, of 1054 Blackburn Drive, Grover.

Martin apparently was being chased by Grover Police for an alleged traffic violation. Fowler said Grover Police Chief Tommy Carroll told investigators that speeds had reached up to 100 mph during the chase.

Martin, driving a 1983 Mazda truck, was headed south on Possum Trot Road just before 1 a.m. when he ran off the right side of the road and struck a cement block wellhouse, the coroner reported.

The truck overturned on its right side, trapping Martin in the wreckage. Fowler said Martin died at the scene.

An autopsy will be conducted. Fowler said speed and alcohol contributed to the accident.

Martin becomes the 14th traffic fatality in Cherokee County this year.