Exclusive: Hendersonville Man Arrested After Blue Ridge Parkway Motorcycle Chase

National Park Service affidavit alleges rider fled rangers on the Parkway before officers halted traffic and made an arrest in Buncombe County.

WCAB News has obtained federal court records detailing a high-speed pursuit on the Blue Ridge Parkway in which National Park Service officers allege a North Carolina motorcyclist accelerated away from a traffic stop, reaching speeds of 94 mph in a 35 mph zone before being arrested after officers stopped traffic ahead of him.

A criminal complaint filed on July 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina charged Brandon James Colbert, 29, of Hendersonville, with felony speeding to elude arrest under North Carolina law, prosecuted in federal court because the alleged offense occurred on federal land.

According to an affidavit sworn by National Park Service Capt. Owen McDaniel, officers were conducting a DUI saturation patrol at 8:31 p.m. on July 22 near Milepost 386 of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe County when McDaniel observed a motorcycle traveling 63 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.

McDaniel wrote that he activated the emergency lights and siren on his marked patrol vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the rider allegedly accelerated away, prompting a pursuit.

The affidavit states McDaniel lost sight of the motorcycle moments later.

Another National Park Service ranger, identified in court records as Officer Card, then observed the motorcycle near Milepost 387 traveling 94 mph in the same 35 mph zone. Card also attempted to stop the motorcycle but reportedly lost sight of it because of its speed.

The pursuit ended near Milepost 388, where Officers Malionek and Paxton had slowed and stopped southbound traffic. According to the affidavit, the motorcycle was unable to drive around the stopped vehicles, allowing officers to take the rider into custody without further pursuit.

The rider was identified as Brandon James Colbert. No booking photo or police statement has been released.

License allegedly suspended

Federal investigators also allege a records check showed Colbert's North Carolina driver's license had been indefinitely suspended since Dec. 12, 2025, and remained suspended at the time of the incident.

The affidavit cites two aggravating factors supporting the felony charge:

Driving more than 15 mph above the posted speed limit.

Operating a vehicle while his driver's license was suspended.

Under North Carolina law, fleeing to elude law enforcement becomes a felony when two or more aggravating factors are present.

Why the case is in federal court

Although the alleged offense is based on North Carolina law, the prosecution is proceeding in federal court under the Assimilative Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 13) because the incident allegedly occurred on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is administered by the National Park Service and falls within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

The affidavit was reviewed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Scott before being presented to U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf, who approved the criminal complaint under Rule 4.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

State charges

Colbert also has three pending court cases in Buncombe, Henderson and Polk counties, according to a public records review of NC Judicial Branch Odyssey Justice portal eCourts records. 

He was charged with various offenses by the Asheville Police Department (May 1 - case # 26CR005918-100, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office (January 7 - case # 26CR000164-440), and the Columbus Police Department (March 22 - case # 26CR000811-740).

A criminal complaint is a charging document that alleges probable cause to believe a crime was committed. It is not a conviction, and Colbert is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.