LINCOLNTON, N.C. – An 18-year-old died Wednesday night after she lost control of her truck while being chased by a trooper, the Highway Patrol confirms.
The accident happened around 9:45 p.m. on Bess Chapel Road.
A young girl dead -- an “A” student at West Lincoln High. But for some reason she ran when state troopers tried to pull her over.
Family members say they know why – and now blame the troopers for the accident that killed her.
“ She was the best child anybody could ask for," said mom Sandy Barnes.
Michelle Platt was Barnes' only child. She could barely choke out a sentence, but wanted to tell us about the concert the two enjoyed to celebrate her daughter’s 18th birthday just last month.
“She was like momma I couldn’t ask for a better 18th birthday present,” Sandy Barnes said.
Platt was killed Wednesday night after troopers say the teen wouldn’t stop when they tried to pull her over for speeding. Her grandmother can’t understand it.
“I think my grandchild was killed for no reason,” said Nell Ross. “We had always told her never to stop. A young girl with that age with that many cars….”
Michelle had just left her boyfriend’s house when the chase started. She even called him for help he says.
Chris Abernathy said, “ She called me saying she was in a panic. 'State troopers all behind me. I need help.' I get in the truck and see her and eight state troopers right on her.”
Moments later she took a sharp curve, and slammed into a tree.
“It breaks my heart,” Platt’s grandmother said.
“My world is over. They have destroyed my world, she was my everything. I want to know why they done that to my baby for, “Platt’s mom asked.
The family says they believe the troopers were chasing someone else in the beginning and lost sight of that F-150, then began chasing Michelle by mistake. Troopers say that’s not possible because department policy is to call off a chase if you lose sight of a car. Officers say they’re still investigating to find out just how fast she was going.
