2 accused of trying to run over Henderson County deputy during traffic stop

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Henderson County authorities arrested two men Wednesday and charged them with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.

Henderson County deputies responded to Stepp Ponderosa Trail in the Edneyville area about 5:40 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a reported discharge of a firearm. Deputies spoke with the caller, got a description of the vehicle and a possible location.

Authorities said, while attempting to locate the suspects, a deputy saw a vehicle matching the description given to them approaching on Pilot Mountain Road. The deputy stopped his vehicle. As he started to get out of his vehicle, the suspect vehicle slowed and then rapidly accelerated toward the deputy. The deputy dove back into his patrol vehicle as the suspect vehicle struck the driver’s door, slamming it shut.

The door of the deputy’s vehicle sustained moderate damage, but the deputy was not injured.

"After narrowly missing the deputy, the suspect vehicle continued into a nearby orchard, struck several apple trees and slid into a drainage ditch. The driver and passenger fled on foot, but deputies were able to develop their identity and took them into custody earlier today," a news release from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said.

Bryson Freeman, 22, of Saluda, was charged with one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official. He is in the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $15,000 secured bond.

Richard McMahan, 20, of Hendersonville, was also charged with one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official. He also remains in the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $20,000 secured bond.