Concord Grieves the Passing of Calvin Leon Costner in Deadly Accident Amidst Police Chase

 The citizens of Concord are reeling from a heartbreaking accident that occurred late Monday night, resulting in the death of 40-year-old Calvin Leon Costner. Costner, an innocent motorist, lost his life when his car was hit by a driver believed to be impaired who was evading a traffic stop. Authorities are actively searching for the person accountable for this tragic event, which has left family, friends, and the community in mourning.

As reported by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the incident took place around 11 p.m. on George Liles Parkway and Interstate 85. Officers first identified the suspect's vehicle speeding at a rate of 111 miles per hour on I-85 and made an attempt to pull it over. When approaching the car, the trooper noticed indicators of impairment. However, before any further evaluation could take place, the driver unexpectedly fled the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that proceeded onto George Liles Parkway.

The suspect ran a red light at high velocity, crashing directly into Costner’s Cadillac, which was passing through the intersection. The collision was devastating, causing the Cadillac to ignite. Arriving officers hurried to save Costner, successfully extracting him from the wreckage. Sadly, despite their courageous attempts, Costner did not survive his injuries at the location. One officer sustained minor burns during the rescue but is anticipated to recover. No additional injuries were reported.

The accident resulted in a section of George Liles Parkway between Exchange Street and Kannapolis Highway being closed, staying shut until around 4:45 a.m. while investigators collected evidence and evaluated the damage from the high-speed crash. The closure underscored the severity of the situation, and many community members have described this tragedy as both avoidable and deeply saddening.

As of Tuesday morning, the suspect, who fled on foot from the scene of the crash, is still at large. Officials from the State Highway Patrol are encouraging anyone with knowledge of the incident to step forward. They are currently reviewing surveillance videos, analyzing evidence from the vehicles, and interviewing witnesses to assist in finding the individual responsible for the fatal collision.

As word of Costner’s passing spreads, the community has shown profound sadness over the loss of a man whose life was abruptly ended due to reckless and impaired driving. Friends, family, and neighbors have paid tribute to Costner, recalling him as a compassionate and diligent person. This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder of the perils associated with impaired driving, and the community is now seeking justice for one of their own.