Man charged with murder in deadly crash while evading police in North Carolina

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A Durham man is now charged in a crash last week that killed a man while the suspect was fleeing from police, according to the Durham Police Department. Shyrone Evans, 20, is charged with felony second-degree murder in the death of Jermaine Clement, 53, of Durham, who died in the crash on March 19, police said. The crash happened around 5:35 a.m. that day when police were on their way to car break-ins along Mount Mariah Road, officers said. An officer responding to the break-ins spotted the suspect vehicle, a stolen 2020 Kia Soul, traveling east on Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect continued to drive away, police said. Within several seconds of the attempted traffic stop, the vehicle entered the intersection of Southwest Durham Drive at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at a red light. The Kia Soul then struck a black 2021 Toyota Highlander that was turning left from westbound Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard to travel south on SW Durham Drive, according to police. Clement, a passenger in the Highlander, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died, police said. Clement, a passenger in the Highlander, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died, police said. His family told CBS 17 he was being taken to a dialysis appointment. Clement's brother-in-law Steven Williams said he was a former GoDurham driver and his loss impacts the entire Bull City community. Clement battled long-standing health challenges and overcame several hardships throughout his life. Three occupants of the Kia Soul and the driver of the Highlander were also injured. Evans is also charged with felony hit and run with serious injuries/death, felony fleeing/elude arrest and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to court records. On Wednesday morning, Evans made his first appearance in Durham County Court. A judge denied him bond, despite the state's request for $2 million. Court records show Evans faces 52 pending charges for several crimes committed since 2023. He was out on bond prior to his latest arrest. Clement's funeral is scheduled for Friday afternoon. Family members said they're still in shock.