UNIONVILLE, N.C.- The North Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly accident in Union County that resulted from a police chase.

The NCHP tells NewsChannel 36 that the accident happened around 3:15 Friday morning on Highway 601 at Sikes Mill road. Monroe police officers were chasing the car when it crashed, killing the driver who was identified as 48-year-old Michael Ray Furr of Locust.

Monroe police said an officer began following Furr because his vehicle was driving recklessly along Highway 74.

The officer stopped the vehicle, but when the officer stepped out of his patrol car, Furr sped away.

Monroe police say Furr had convictions on his record that include four DWIs and a conviction of involuntary manslaughter in Stanly County.