ARCHER LODGE – Johnston County deputies were led on a low-speed chase by a suspected drunk driver operating a front-end loader. It happened near Archer Lodge.
Around 12:50am Sunday, a patrol deputy was traveling on Buffalo Road when he spotted a 
front end loader traveling erratically in the roadway and without any lights.
The deputy attempted to stop the large machine but the operator allegedly refused to pull over. Finally, about 1-1/2 miles later the operator stopped.
Tracy Wayne Poole, 51, of Dickerson Road, Smithfield was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, driving while impaired on a commercial vehicle and driving on a revoked license. He was held on a $25,000 secured bond.
No injuries were reported. The loader had reportedly been taken from a nearby construction site. The owner declined to press any charges.
