High-speed pursuit ends with Cadillac struck at George Liles Parkway exit
November 24, 2025 | Concord, NC
A tragic two-vehicle collision in Concord claimed the life of 40-year-old local resident Calvin Costner on a Monday evening, sparked by an alleged impaired driver fleeing police.
Calvin Leon Costner, 40, died when a fleeing Camaro driven by an allegedly impaired motorist hit his Cadillac on George Liles Parkway in Concord, setting the car ablaze.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that the incident began around 11 p.m. when a trooper attempted to stop a Chevrolet Camaro speeding at 111 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 85. The 30-year-old driver from Charlotte showed signs of impairment and refused to cooperate, leading to a high-speed pursuit.
- Date and Time: Nov. 24, 2025, approximately 11 p.m.
- Location: Interstate 85 transitioning to George Liles Parkway, Concord, NC
- Vehicles Involved: Chevrolet Camaro, suspect, and Cadillac, victim
- Outcome: The Camaro collided with Costner's Cadillac, causing it to catch fire, and Costner succumbed to his injuries at the scene
- Suspect Actions: Fled on foot post-crash but was apprehended shortly after
The suspect faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, felony fleeing to elude, felony hit-and-run, failure to heed lights and sirens, open container violation, and additional traffic offenses.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving combined with police pursuits often results in devastating consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), collisions involving law enforcement chases led to 577 fatalities in 2022, the highest recorded year for such data.
Year |
Police Pursuit Fatalities (NHTSA) |
Key Contributing Factors |
|---|
2022 |
577 |
High speeds, impaired driving, failure to yield |
2021 |
512 |
Evasion tactics, nighttime conditions |
2020 |
498 |
Alcohol involvement, reckless maneuvers |
Factors like speeding over 100 mph, alcohol impairment, and non-compliance with traffic stops heighten risks, as seen in this case.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle crashes during pursuits, independent investigations play a crucial role in establishing accountability.
“An attorney can collect the proper evidence to help prove that a driver’s actions were reckless, which requires a variety of resources,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst for Newsline. “Your lawyer can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide victims while vigorously protecting their legal rights and best interests.”
- Key Takeaway 1: Traffic laws mandate compliance with police stops; violations can lead to severe charges like second-degree murder.
- Key Takeaway 2: Officers' adherence to pursuit protocols is examined to ensure safety.
- Key Takeaway 3: Families may pursue wrongful death claims for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
Pending further investigation, Costner's family could seek damages through a wrongful death claim, with legal representation helping to counter insurance companies' defenses.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).