Driver Arrested After Two-County Chase

NEWTON GROVE — A Saturday night traffic stop in southern Johnston County turned into a high-speed chase through two counties before ending in a crash near Newton Grove.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, a SAFE Team deputy attempted to stop a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta for speeding at 105 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone along U.S. 701. The driver refused to pull over despite the officer activating blue lights and siren.

The pursuit continued onto several secondary roads and crossed into Sampson County. Authorities said the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed on Warren Mill Road, south of Newton Grove, when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle and failed to negotiate a curve. The car left the roadway, struck a ditch, and came to rest in a nearby field.

The driver, identified as Salvador Hernandez, 23, of Clinton, fled the scene on foot but was apprehended approximately 100 feet from the crashed vehicle.

Hernandez was taken into custody by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, speeding, reckless driving with wanton disregard, resisting a public officer, driving on a revoked license, no liability insurance, and a revoked or suspended registration plate violation.

He was transported to the Johnston County Detention Center, where he was placed under a $50,000 secured bond.

Authorities also seized the Volkswagen under North Carolina’s Run and Done state law. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.