Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Carolina Beach man led law enforcement agencies on chase, faces 20 charges

Briggs Smith (Courtesy NHCSO)

CAROLINA BEACH — After officers pursued a 39-year-old man Monday evening from Carolina Beach to Wilmington, he sits in the New Hanover County Detention Center facing 20 charges.

Briggs H. Smith was allegedly driving reckless when he almost hit another driver on the road head-on; it was reported to Carolina Beach Police Department around 6:45 p.m.

Officers headed to the vicinity of the reported incident and discovered a vehicle in the 300 block of Canal Drive. Upon making contact with Smith, police indicate there was a struggle and the driver fled the area via vehicle.

Police pursued Briggs throughout Carolina Beach, as he attempted to hit a police vehicle head-on. According to a release from Carolina Beach Police Department, Briggs stopped briefly and refused to exit before attempting to flee again and striking a Carolina Beach PD vehicle.

Briggs exited Carolina Beach via Snow’s Cut Bridge and CB police dispatched other area agencies — New Hanover Sheriffs Department and Wilmington Police Department. The sheriff’s office witnessed the vehicle traveling on Carolina Beach Road at a high speed.

“The Carolina Beach Police Department coordinated with the Wilmington Police Department with the possible location of the driver,” according to the release, “and Wilmington police responded to the area and took the driver into custody.”

Smith assaulted and resisted arresting officers and faces multiple charges from the three regional law enforcement entities:

Charges by Carolina Beach Police Department:

  • 1 Count of Felony Flee to Elude Arrest
  • 1 Count of Fugitive Order (Dauphin County, PA)
  • 1 Count of Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
  • 1 Count of Hit and Run
  • 1 Count of Reckless Driving
  • 1 Count of Driving While License Revoked
  • 1 Count of Resisting a Public Officer

Charges by New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office:

  • 1 Count of Reckless Driving
  • 2 Counts of Failure to Stop at a Red Light
  • 1 Count of Driving Left of Center

Charges by Wilmington Police Department:

  • 2 Counts of Malicious Conduct by a Prisoner
  • 1 Count of Assault on a Government Official
  • 2 Counts of Resisting a Public Officer
  • 1 Count of Simple Possession of Schedule VI
  • 2 Counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • 1 Count of Open Container of Alcohol

Smith is placed on a no-bond hold, pending extradition — he is wanted in Pennsylvania — and additional bond for local charges.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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