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Suspect in Caldwell Co. chase convicted nearly 2 dozen times for driving with revoked license

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — An innocent couple is still in the hospital days after troopers said they were hit head-on by a suspect on the run in Caldwell County.

Channel 9 discovered the suspect driving the vehicle was convicted nearly two dozen times for driving with a revoked license.

The chase and crash happened in southern Caldwell County Tuesday morning.

Officials said the chase started over an outstanding warrant against the driver of a Toyota Camry.

The Cornells were driving an SUV near Castle Bridge when they were struck by the Camry.

Channel 9's Dave Faherty spoke to the Cornells' son David Cornell following the crash.

"They're lucky to be alive. They got broken bones and broken sternum. Broken ribs. My momma has a broken left foot. And my dad, real bad injuries to his hand," David Cornell said.

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Christy Baker was driving well over the speed limit trying not to get caught by authorities, troopers said.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and saw a van and car badly damaged because of the crash.

Bobby Roper saw Baker near Rutherford College a few minutes before the crash.

He said the Camry she was driving passed him at a stoplight.

A Burke County deputy also saw the car and turned on the blue lights, but the Camry kept going.

"I just realized, ‘Well, he is not going to stop,’" Roper said.

The chase passed James Ratliff's office, which faces traffic.

Troopers said Baker was going 110 mph in 45-mph zone.

"Probably the fastest I've seen in a while," Ratliff said.

[PHOTOS: At least 2 hospitalized after chase, crash in Caldwell County]

His security cameras barely captured troopers and deputies going by on Malcolm Boulevard.

"I don't know if it's worth the chase like this on two-lane roads where somebody could get hurt."

Baker was ejected, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

Channel 9 discovered Baker has been convicted of driving with a revoked license 23 times in the last 18 years.

Burke County deputies initially tried to stop the 43-year-old for outstanding warrants. According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, she was also wanted by probation and parole.

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