Traffic Stop in Ashe of Stuart Mast of Fleetwood

For Immediate Release 
September 13th 2024

In the early morning hours of Friday, September 13th, 2014, at approximately 12:49 am, deputies from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a black motorcycle. The rider later, identified as Stuart Chad Mast, 48, of Fleetwood, NC,
refused to pull over after the officers activated blue lights and sirens. The suspect stopped in the roadway between Frank Dillard Rd and Sheets Bridge.

Mast was instructed by Deputies to dismount the motorcycle and lie on the ground. Despite multiple verbal commands, Mast refused to comply, leading to a physical confrontation. After a short ground struggle, Mast was placed in handcuffs, where it was noticed he had become unconscious. Deputies began immediate lifesaving measures, including the administration of 2 doses of Narcan, followed by CPR, the use
of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and resumed CPR until paramedics arrived. Ashe Medics arrived on the scene at 1:05 am and transported Mast to Ashe Memorial Hospital, where he was later declared deceased.

The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office immediately requested the State Bureau of Investigation conduct a thorough investigation, following standard protocol. One deputy sheriff was hospitalized and released, and two other deputy sheriffs had minor injuries.