Concord Resident Killed After Driver Fleeing Traffic Stop Causes Fiery Collision, Officials Say

Concord, North Carolina — November 26, 2025 — According to the Charlotte Observer, a man lost his life when a speeding motorist fleeing a traffic stop slammed into his vehicle, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Authorities identified the victim as 40-year-old Calvin Leon Costner. Troopers said Costner had been driving a gray Cadillac when the crash occurred on George Liles Parkway near Interstate 85. His vehicle became engulfed in flames after the impact, and he died after being pulled from the burning car.

Investigators said the driver responsible, 30-year-old Daniel Joseph Gomez Clarke of Charlotte, was taken into custody and now faces several felony charges, including second-degree murder. Additional charges include felony flee to elude, felony hit-and-run, failure to stop for law enforcement signals, open container, driving without headlights, and running a red light.

According to the Highway Patrol, a trooper had initially stopped Clarke on I-85 near Poplar Tent Road for traveling 111 mph in a 65 mph zone. The trooper reported signs of impairment during the stop. When Clarke was asked to hand over his license, he sped away instead.

He exited the interstate at George Liles Parkway at high speed and collided with Costner’s vehicle moments later.

No other occupants were in either vehicle. A trooper sustained minor burns while pulling Costner from the wreckage, officials said.

Clarke was booked into the Cabarrus County Detention Center following his arrest.

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our experienced Charlotte personal injury attorneys are committed to helping crash victims and their families navigate the legal process.

Your Injury, Our Fight. How can we help you take a stand? Call 704-377-3737 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.