FRANKLINTON - At least three vehicles were forced off the road during a Saturday police chase that ended in the deaths of two Stem sisters and the man the officer was pursuing.

Franklinton Police Chief Ray Gilliam and Town Attorney Mitch Styers said today they have been reviewing 911 tapes and talking to witnesses in the aftermath of the 13-mile chase along narrow two-lane roads in Franklin and Granville counties.

"Chases have always been challenged whether it's the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do," Gilliam said.

The Franklinton Police Department chase policy, which was described but not released by the chief and town attorney during an afternoon press conference, allows police officers to use their discretion in deciding when to halt pursuit of a suspect.

Still, neither elaborated on whether Franklinton Police Officer Mike Dunlap should have stopped after three drivers were forced off the road.

"The investigation is still going on," Gilliam said,

Dunlap began pursuing the 1988 Pontiac after an Exxon convenience store clerk alerted him. Surveillance footage from the store's camera shows the car passing the store parking lot in the wrong lane.

The chase went through Creedmoor and ended when Ayscue crashed into an oncoming vehicle carrying Linsay Erin Lunsford, 18, and her sister Maggie Rose, 9.

Dunlap has been placed on administrative duty while an internal investigation is conducted, which is routine in a case like this, his chief said.

Meanwhile, family are making funeral arrangements for the sisters.

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