Authorities say a 13-year-old boy turned a traffic stop into a cross-county chase on Tuesday, leading Edgecombe County deputies more than 20 miles from Rocky Mount to Wilson in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The pursuit ended only after the van finally stopped in Wilson, the driver bolted, and deputies ran him down on foot. The juvenile now faces multiple charges and has been sent to the Pitt County juvenile detention center.
How deputies say the chase began
According to Edgecombe County deputies, it all started in Rocky Mount’s Meadowbrook subdivision when Deputy J. Daniels tried to pull over a Chrysler Town and Country for a stop-sign violation. After Daniels radioed in the attempted stop, deputies say the van took off on Beverly Road, with the deputy in pursuit through Rocky Mount and onto U.S. 301 south. Those details came from an Edgecombe County news release, as reported by The Charlotte Observer.
Where the pursuit ended
Investigators say the chase rolled into Wilson County along Ward Boulevard before the van finally stopped in the 1300 block of Gold Street North. The driver then jumped out and ran, but deputies caught him after a short foot pursuit. Officials did not identify the van’s owner, and authorities say the 13-year-old was taken into custody without any further incident, according to reporting by WITN.
Charges filed
Edgecombe County deputies charged the juvenile with felony fleeing to elude, failure to stop at a stop sign, reckless driving, failure to stop at a stop light, no operator’s license, driving on the wrong side of the road, and failure to heed blue lights and sirens. Those charges were listed in an Edgecombe County release, as detailed by The Charlotte Observer.
Legal note
Under North Carolina law, "speeding to elude arrest" is set out in G.S. 20-141.5 and can be charged as a felony when aggravating factors are present. The statute also allows the state to seize vehicles used in certain fleeing cases. For the full statute text and associated penalties, see the version published by the North Carolina General Assembly.
What comes next
After his arrest, authorities say the boy was brought before juvenile court counselors and then remanded to the Pitt County Juvenile Detention Center in Greenville. That step starts the juvenile court process, which typically keeps the youth’s name and most case records confidential while proceedings are underway, according to WITN.
