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Willie J. Gist Jr.

Age : 31

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 05/06/2026

Location : Hunting Country Road near Cherokee Hill Lane

City : Tryon

County : Polk

State : North Carolina

Agency : Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 05/06/2026, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on Landrum Road near the South Carolina state line. Police said Willie Gist did not stop and deputies chased the vehicle through the City of Landrum and into western North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Gist lost control while negotiating a curve on Hunting Country Road near Cherokee Hill Lane. The vehicle left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and overturned. Gist was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries. The North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the crash.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/05/06/driver-flees-traffic-stop-causes-traffic-collision-wnc-deputies-say/
https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/north-carolina/