William Shannon Coston Obituary, Death Cause – A man lost his life early Sunday morning after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase through Surf City, North Carolina. The incident began around 1:58 a.m. on July 21 when a Surf City Police Department sergeant attempted to pull over a white Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle was reportedly being driven erratically along NC Highway 50, with repeated lane violations and an inability to maintain proper control.
According to a statement released by Surf City Police, the sergeant activated emergency lights and sirens in an effort to initiate a traffic stop due to concerns about the driver’s behavior and potential impairment. The driver, later identified as 47-year-old William Shannon Coston, did not immediately attempt to flee but also failed to comply with the stop.
Coston continued driving on NC 50, then onto Shepards Road, and eventually made his way to U.S. Highway 17. Throughout this time, police said his driving remained erratic, raising further safety concerns. As the pursuit continued, the Surf City Police Department requested assistance from the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Once additional units were involved, officers noted that Coston suddenly sped up and attempted to flee at a high rate of speed. Due to departmental policy, Surf City officers then disengaged from the chase. However, a deputy with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office spotted Coston’s vehicle traveling eastbound on NC Highway 210 and resumed pursuit at approximately 2:04 a.m.
Just one minute later, at 2:05 a.m., the Silverado crashed near Valhalla Way. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced Coston dead. The Surf City Police Department confirmed that open containers of alcohol were found inside the vehicle. Investigators at the scene also determined that impaired driving and the resulting loss of vehicle control likely caused the fatal crash.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. While no additional injuries or damage have been reported, officials emphasized that the incident serves as a serious warning about the risks of driving under the influence.
Surf City Police Chief Ron Voorhees issued a statement in the aftermath of the crash, expressing gratitude to local law enforcement and emergency teams for their coordinated response during what he described as a tragic and avoidable event. “This incident is a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of impaired driving,” Chief Voorhees said. He added that there is no current threat to the public, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities continue to gather information and encourage the public to avoid impaired driving under any circumstances to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
