The domestic assault call that led to a chase Tuesday afternoon dealt with Darius Sykes allegedly assaulting his mother, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Lieutenant Bobby Martin said the sheriff’s office continues to investigate that end of the crime, which occurred on Heathsville Road.

Thus far, Sykes, 29, faces three counts of attempted murder, a count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and flee to elude arrest from the sheriff’s office.

He faces charges of careless and reckless driving, felony elude arrest, a stop sign violation, driving left of center and driving while license revoked from the state Highway Patrol.

Martin said in a press release the sheriff’s office learned soon after the domestic call Sykes left the scene.

Deputy Harold Phillips and the state Highway Patrol saw him on Piney Grove Church Road.

Martin was travelling on Highway 903 and met Sykes at Piney Grove Church Road.

Martin said in a telephone interview that Sykes would not stop and challenged officers to catch him.

On Three Bridges Road the state Highway Patrol deployed a Stop Stick and the front left tire began to deflate.

Sykes lost the tire on Highway 48 where he saw Deputy Herbert Williams approaching from the opposite direction.

Martin said Sykes turned directly into the path of the officer forcing him off the road.

Martin said Sykes swerved in and out of traffic causing oncoming cars to retreat to the shoulder of the road.

While on Smith Church Road Sergeant Mike Moseley of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department approached from the opposite direction to assist in the chase. Sykes again turned into the path of the officer making hin lose control of his car and nearly wreck.

The suspect continued towards Roanoke Rapids on Smith Church Road and made a right into the driveway of the hospital. At this point Lieutenant Tim Harris of the sheriff's office attempted to assist in the chase and Sykes again turned into the officer’s path and struck the passenger side door of his patrol car.

The chase came to a stop in the emergency room parking lot when Sykes rammed Deputy Harold Phillips’ car, rendering the Honda Sykes was driving inoperable. “The joint effort helped in bringing this dangerous situation to a close without anyone getting hurt,” Martin said in the press release.

Martin said in the phone interview deploying the Stop Stick was a crucial strategy in the chase. “That in itself helped avoid getting anyone injured.”

Sykes’ mother sustained minor injuries and Deputy Jason Keeter also sustained an injury as Sykes was taken into custody.
Sykes is jailed without the opportunity for bond and has a November 14 court date. More charges are pending, Martin said.