MORGANTON, N.C. — A woman faces multiple charges after authorities said she led officers and deputies on a chase before crashing into another vehicle in Burke County.
The incident happened Oct. 3 after Morganton Public Safety officers began pursuing a vehicle on U.S. 70 near E. Fleming Drive. The pursuit continued outside the city limits into Burke County.
According to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy spotted the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near Drexel Road and Bethel Road. The vehicle later failed to stop at a stop sign while merging onto N.C. 18 South and struck another vehicle.
[ ALSO READ: 18-year-old faces extradition after carjacking and multi-state chase ]
One deputy continued pursuing the vehicle while another stopped to check on the person in the vehicle that was struck. Burke County EMS transported that person to a hospital.
The vehicle being pursued eventually stopped at N.C. 18 South and Zero Mull Road after a tire blew out. Deputies identified the driver as Kayleigha Capri Johnson.
Deputies said a search of the vehicle turned up open and empty alcoholic beverage containers, a bottle containing marijuana roaches, and a glass marijuana pipe.
Johnson was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony hit-and-run with injury, misdemeanor failure to heed a light or siren, driving left of center, and failure to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol also charged Johnson with driving while impaired. Morganton Public Safety officers filed additional felony, misdemeanor, and infraction charges.
Johnson received a $45,000 secured bond and was scheduled to appear in court Oct. 5.