Autopsy: Trauma to torso killed man who died after being chased by Fuquay-Varina police

Family of Bryan Jamar Harris – or B.J. – are no closer to an understanding of how he died with the release of an autopsy and toxicology report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Police and family agree that Harris ran from police after a traffic stop last summer and hid in the woods for about six hours. When he went to his parents’ home, Harris collapsed and never woke up. He was 36.

The autopsy found that his death was accidental, and that he had blunt force trauma to his torso. Harris also had cocaine in his system at the time.

Fuquay-Varina Police Chief Brandon Medina said his officers acted “by the book” in chasing Harris.

“I have no idea why he would’ve opted not to stop,” Medina said at the time. “As of what I know, he doesn’t have a license. That’s not a reason to flee on foot.”

Harris abandoned his car at his parents’ house on Fayetteville Street near Wake Chapel Road and ran into the woods.

Police officers never caught up to Harris.

“He was never in custody,” Medina said. “[Our] K-9 was never able to detect him. The officer didn’t catch him.” Body camera video confirms that.

Once he returned home, Harris told his family, "I'm sore," his father, Terry Harris said.

The autopsy shows he had cuts and scratches on his forehead and lip, on his chest and back, on his knees, shins and right arm.