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Alexander Komthongpane

Age : 33

Gender : Male

Race : Asian

Date : 08/22/2024

Location : Freedom Drive near Fred D. Alexander Boulevard

City : Charlotte

County : Charlotte-Mecklenburg

State : North Carolina

Agency : North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash following attempted traffic stop for speeding and seatbelt violation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/22/2024, Alexander Komthongpane, 33, was killed when his vehicle crashed into a tree in west Charlotte while North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers pursued him.
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The pursuit began when a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop Komthongpane specifically for speeding and a seatbelt violation. Komthongpane continued driving away after the trooper attempted the traffic stop, and the State Highway Patrol pursued him.
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During the pursuit, Komthongpane lost control of his vehicle near Freedom Drive and Fred D. Alexander Boulevard. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire.
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Troopers pulled Komthongpane from the burning vehicle and attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, but he died at the scene.
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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department subsequently identified Komthongpane as the person police alleged had stolen wheels and tires from vehicles parked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport between 08/18/2024 and 08/20/2024. Police had investigated three BMW sedans found with wheels and tires removed along Old Dowd Road and Josh Birmingham Parkway.
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CMPD alleged that wheels found on Komthongpane's vehicle after the fatal pursuit had been stolen from the BMWs at the airport. Police also said Komthongpane had previously come to their attention in investigations involving catalytic-converter thefts and other motor-vehicle-related larcenies. These allegations were announced after his death and were separate from the reason State Highway Patrol initially attempted to stop him on 08/22/2024.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
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The North Carolina State Highway Patrol did not publicly identify the trooper or troopers involved in the pursuit that preceded Komthongpane's fatal crash.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkNvdRdNi3Echarlott
https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2024/08/29/man-killed-in-car-crash-wanted-for-stealing-tires-at-airport/
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cmpd-man-accused-stealing-tires-off-cars-clt-is-driver-who-died-chase/ZZC2OPILC5HKZCMR6BYYXKST4U/