CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NC — Man Arrested After Striking Firefighter During Gas Leak Response

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NC — Man Arrested After Striking Firefighter During Gas Leak Response

Cumberland County, NC – May 29, 2025 — A routine emergency response turned dangerous Tuesday afternoon when a driver struck a firefighter while attempting to bypass a road closure during a gas leak investigation. The incident occurred at approximately 3:48 p.m. on Legion Road near Ireland Drive, prompting a swift response from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Pearce’s Mill Fire Department personnel.

According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), deputies were dispatched following a report of an uncooperative individual at the scene of a hazardous gas leak. Firefighters from Pearce’s Mill were working diligently to secure the area and protect public safety, which required a temporary closure of a section of Legion Road.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as Ramon Bonilla-Soto Jr., a 26-year-old male from Fayetteville, was advised by a firefighter that access through Legion Road was restricted due to ongoing safety measures. Instead of complying, Bonilla-Soto attempted to circumvent the road closure by driving over the concrete median in an effort to bypass the barricade.

In doing so, he struck the firefighter with his vehicle. Thankfully, the firefighter did not suffer serious injuries and was able to receive immediate medical attention on site. No other injuries were reported.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit promptly took over the investigation, treating the incident with the seriousness it warranted, given that the victim was a government official in the line of duty.

Ramon Bonilla-Soto Jr. was quickly located, arrested, and transported to the Cumberland County Detention Center. He now faces a series of serious charges, including:

• Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
• Careless and Reckless Driving
• Driving Over a Concrete Median
• Driving While License Revoked
• Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Officer

He is being held on a $40,000 secured bond, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday, May 30, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

Community and Law Enforcement Response

Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis W. Wright issued a statement emphasizing the importance of respecting emergency responders and following lawful orders at scenes involving public safety threats.

“Our first responders risk their lives to protect the community every day. Interfering with their work, especially in a reckless and violent manner, will not be tolerated,” said Sheriff Wright. “We are grateful the firefighter is recovering and commend the swift actions of our deputies and detectives in apprehending the suspect.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks emergency personnel face — not only from the crises they respond to but also from those who disregard public safety protocols.