A devastating crash late Monday night in Concord has left the community grieving the loss of 40-year-old Calvin Leon Costner, an innocent driver whose life was tragically cut short during a police pursuit. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the deadly incident unfolded along George Liles Parkway and Interstate 85 after a suspected impaired driver fled from a traffic stop. What began as a routine enforcement check quickly spiraled into a fatal chain of events that now has authorities searching for the suspect.
Troopers first encountered the vehicle around 11 p.m. while monitoring traffic on I-85, where they observed a driver racing down the interstate at an alarming 111 miles per hour. When the trooper initiated a traffic stop, he detected clear signs of impairment. Before further assessment could take place, the driver suddenly sped away, prompting a pursuit onto George Liles Boulevard. Officials say the fleeing driver ran a red light at high speed, barreling directly into a Cadillac traveling through the intersection.
The impact was catastrophic. The Cadillac burst into flames upon collision, trapping driver Calvin Leon Costner inside. Responding officers rushed toward the burning vehicle, managing to pull Costner from the wreckage. Despite their heroic efforts, Costner succumbed to his injuries at the scene. One officer suffered minor burns during the rescue attempt but is expected to recover. Authorities report that no other injuries occurred in the crash.
As emergency crews worked through the night, a section of George Liles Parkway between Exchange Street and Kannapolis Highway remained closed until approximately 4:45 a.m. The shutdown allowed investigators to document the scene, gather evidence, and assess the scope of the destruction caused by the high-speed impact. The closure underscored the seriousness of the incident, which community members have described as both preventable and heartbreaking.
Meanwhile, the suspected driver fled the crash site on foot and remains at large as of Tuesday morning. State Highway Patrol officials are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of locating the individual responsible for the deadly chain of events. Troopers continue to review surveillance footage, examine vehicle evidence, and interview witnesses in hopes of tracking down the suspect.
As news of Costner’s death spreads, friends, family, and community members are expressing shock and sorrow over the loss of a man whose life ended through no fault of his own. The tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by impaired and reckless driving, and the community now waits anxiously for justice in the wake of this heartbreaking incident.
