A Johnston County man who tried to outrun authorities at speeds up to 100 mph Monday afternoon has been arrested.
Around 3:15pm, a sheriff’s deputy was leaving the campus of West Johnston High School on Raleigh Road when they spotted a car speeding in the school zone on Raleigh Road in front of the campus.
The officer attempted to stop the car, which then tried to elude the officer by passing several other vehicles. The chase eventually reached speeds of 100 mph on Highway 210 traveling towards Smithfield.
As the driver attempted to turn into the Sheffield Woods Subdivision off Highway 210 just east of Lassiter Road he crashed into a brick subdivision sign.
The suspect fled on foot but was captured a short time later. The heavily damaged car caught fire and burned.
James Willis Mooney, 44, of the 400 block of Sheffield Drive, Four Oaks was arrested on several charges including felony fleeing to elude arrest and driving while impaired. Mooney allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol after getting off work and prior to the pursuit. He registered 0.15 on the Breathalyzer, officials said, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 in North Carolina.
No injuries were reported.
