Mooresville Man Arrested After Deputy Struck During Chase

A Mooresville man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he fled from a traffic stop and struck a deputy with his vehicle late Saturday night.

According to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell, the incident happened May 2 on Williford Road in Mooresville. Deputies stopped a truck driven by 24-year-old Joseph Rodriguez of Mooresville and reportedly spotted drug paraphernalia on the passenger seat.

When the deputy asked Rodriguez to step out of the vehicle, officials say he sped away. During the escape, investigators say the truck struck the deputy. The deputy was not injured.

Deputies pursued the vehicle toward Mooresville, where officers deployed stop sticks that flattened the truck’s tires. Authorities say the chase ended at a gas station on East Plaza Drive after the truck crashed into the side of the building, causing minor damage.

Rodriguez was taken into custody without further incident.

Deputies say crack cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were found inside the truck. Officials also discovered Rodriguez had an active warrant out of Mecklenburg County.

Rodriguez is charged in Iredell County with felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.

He was placed in the Iredell County Detention Center and was being held without bond.