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Detectives issue arrest warrants in Carolina Beach melee

Detectives have filed arrest warrants for people involved in a large assault in Carolina Beach.

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – Detectives have filed arrest warrants for people involved in a large assault in Carolina Beach.

The fight was between two groups of about 30 people who had just gotten off a party cruise. Police say everything was fine on the boat, but the melee that followed put four people from the Wilmington in the hospital – one of them needing emergency brain surgery.

Witnesses told New Hanover County dispatchers that they could see people using knives, poles and a shovel as weapons.

Police said they were outnumbered that night, making safety a priority. Chief Kurt Bartley said officers did everything they could that night without sacrificing the safety of themselves or anyone else involved.

More than 550 cited in NHC during “No Need 2 Speed” campaign

More than 550 cited in NHC during “No Need 2 Speed” campaign

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC, (WECT) – More than 42,000 traffic and criminal citations were issued across the state during this year’s “No Need 2 Speed” campaign, according to a news release from a North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson.

The campaign ran from March 25 – 31, and law enforcement officers teamed up with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to crack down on drivers speeding.

'Operation Slow Down' yields more than 13,500 citations statewide

(Source: MGN Online/USMC)

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – More than 13,500 drivers across North Carolina were recently cited for speeding during the Highway Patrol's Operation Slow Down campaign. The campaign was done in combination with the Governor's Highway Safety Program No Need to Speed effort.

According to officials, speeding is the leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities throughout the state and across the country.

Highway Patrol investigated 1,801 fatal accidents in North Carolina in 2012. Of those, 245 deaths were contributed to speed, compared to 244 in 2011, according to the NC Highway Patrol.

Despite the end of the Operation Slow Down campaign, troopers will continue to aggressively enforce the speed limits in North Carolina.

"Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of the motoring public," said Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Hubcap from car leads police to hit & run suspect

Casey Bell (Source: New Hanover County Jail)

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – A Carolina Beach resident is in the hospital after she was the victim of a hit and run accident last night.

According to Mayor Bob Lewis, the wreck happened around 10:00 Wednesday night on Bridge Barrier Road.

When police arrived on the scene, they found the victim, Ms. Musengo, who was walking her bike down the street when a Honda Civic reportedly hit her and fled.

Officers also found the hubcap from the car. After searching for the vehicle, they found it parked on Olde Mariners Way.

Police arrested Casey Bell and charged her with Hit & Run inflicting serious injury.

She posted bond, which was set at $25,000 and is out of jail.

According to officials, Ms. Musengo was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to be treated for internal injuries and two broken legs.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Mayor: Victim left with serious injuries after hit-and-run

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – The mayor in Carolina Beach said police arrested a driver Wednesday night involved in a hit and run accident.

According to Mayor Bob Lewis, the incident happened on Bridge Barrier Road around 10:00 p.m. He said the wreck left a resident with serious internal injuries and two broken legs.

Lewis said police arrested the driver involved, who apparently drove to their house after the incident.

The names of those involved have not been released. WECT is working to gather more details in this incident.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Law enforcement step up patrols for 'Booze it & Lose it' weekend

Law enforcement step up patrols for 'Booze it & Lose it' weekend

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Law enforcement agencies will step up patrols this weekend for the St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, the campaign runs March 15-17 across the state.

Law enforcement will unveil the new BATMobile Friday morning at the launch of the campaign.

DWI’s can be processed in the BATMobile. The 40-foot long unit features two magistrate stations, a full office and surveillance cameras in the back.

According to a press release, the BATMobile also has six stations where officers can perform breath concentration tests.

More than 800 DWI citations were given out during the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It  & Lose It” campaign.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Man claims girlfriend threw knife at him, cutting his stomach

Deborah Leigh Pierce (Source: NHC Jail)

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – A woman was charged in Carolina Beach Sunday night for stabbing her boyfriend.

According to police reports, officers found a man bleeding outside a home in the 700 block of Virginia Avenue around 11:20 p.m.

The man told officers his girlfriend, 48-year-old Deborah Leigh Pierce, stabbed him.

According to the police report, Donald Richard Crater Jr. told officers Pierce returned from a neighbor's house intoxicated and stabbed him in the finger. When he called 911, Crater told police Pierce threw the weapon at him, cutting his stomach.

Pierce was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault inflicting serious injury.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.