Harnett County deputy surrenders on manslaughter charge after chase, crash that killed couple

A Harnett County deputy involved in a chase and crash that left two people dead has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and indicted.

WRAL News spoke with LeTarte's attorney, Parrish Daughtry, who said he was indicted on these charges on Monday by a grand jury. A judge pre-set a bond for him of $10,000 unsecured.

These indictments stem from an incident that happened on March 3 in Harnett County.

Community holds vigil in honor of couple killed in deadly crash with Harnett deputy

He has since recovered from his injuries. LeTarte turned himself in, according to his attorney Parrish Daughtry.

“It is a tragic accident. Deputy LeTarte is deeply saddened by the loss of life and is struggling, he has cooperated with the investigation," Daughtry said.

Brian and Patricia Finch were leaving Florida heading back to Minnesota, but made a pit stop in Harnett County to see friends.

"They never made it. They were five minutes away," said Tequila Tomlison, who was driving beside the Finches that day. "I actually remember looking at their face and they were laughing."

Tomlison says they actually looked like for a split second to make sure they could go through the intersection – but says LeTarte 'came out of nowhere.'

"He was going so fast," she said.

"It's the type of thing that shouldn't happen," said Chris Swecker, an attorney representing the Finch family, who are now taking steps towards a wrongful death lawsuit.

"They want to know exactly what happened, and they want justice today," Swecker said.

WRAL News has reached out to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office for their response on their deputy being indicted, but they have no comment today.