Shooting involving state troopers shuts down parts of I-85 South

An officer-involved shooting prompted an hours-long road closure on I-85 South in Guilford County Thursday afternoon. 

In a press release, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred at 12:30 p.m. when officers pulled over a speeding vehicle near mile marker 118. 

Another vehicle stopped at the scene, and the female driver said she was being assaulted by her male passenger.

As the troopers approached that car, the man fired shots and the officers returned fire. The woman exited the vehicle, and the man took control of the car. 

He fled and was pursued for about eight miles until officers caught up to him in Randolph County near mile marker 111. 

The man, identified as 25-year-old Jaylen Deshawn Sawyer of High Point, was hospitalized in critical condition. 

The woman was unhurt. Both troopers were also unharmed and are now on administrative duty pending an internal investigation. Charges against Sawyer are expected.

According to NCDOT, the roadway reopened around 5 p.m. 

*Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that a second vehicle was involved in the incident.