Harnett deputy indicted on manslaughter charges
May 23—LILLINGTON — A Harnett County deputy has been indicted in the deaths of a couple killed while engaged in a high-speed pursuit on N.C. 210 near Overhills.
Kevin Joseph LeTarte, 36, faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Brian Anthony Finch, 65, and his wife, Patricia Lynn Finch, 64, of East Gull Lake, Minnesota. He was indicted earlier this month.
The crash happened March 3 at the intersection of N.C. 210, Sandclay Drive and Ray Road, about a quarter-mile north of McCormick Bridge Road.
LeTarte, driving a Dodge Durango with lights and siren activated, was pursuing a southbound vehicle on the highway, according to the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
As LeTarte approached the intersection, a black Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by Brian Finch, pulled out from Sandclay Drive intending to cross the highway to Ray Road, according to a report filed by Highway Patrol First Sgt. D.L. Hawkins.
Finch had the green light, but as his truck entered the intersection, and as his truck entered the intersection, the deputy's Durango crashed into the passenger side or the cab where Patricia Finch was sitting.
Hawkins estimated original traveling speed was 95 mph. He was traveling about 77 mph on impact, Hawkins' report said.
The Finches were traveling about 15 mph at the time, the report said.
Their truck traveled 86 feet after the impact on the passenger side of the vehicle, killing Patricia Finch. Brian Finch died a short time later, according to officials.
Officials have identified the driver of the fleeing vehicle as Jimmy Lewis White, 47, of Lillington. Warrants have been issued for White.
The Sheriff's Office has not said why LeTarte, a deputy since 2017, was trying to stop White and the Highway Patrol's accident report has no information.
