Juvenile Driver Leads Officers On Brief Chase

Photo by John Payne

SMITHFIELD – Just before midnight Thursday, a Wayne County State Trooper returning from assignment at the NC State Fair, attempted to stop a reckless driver near Smithfield in Johnston County. The 15 year-old driver reportedly led the trooper on a chase around West Smithfield.

The driver was at one point traveling the wrong direction on US 70 before leading the trooper around several residential streets in the area of Wilson’s Mills Road and US 70 Business. The driver eventually turned into the path of the trooper’s car causing a collision, which sent the passenger car into a ditch. The four young occupants in the car were all uninjured but jumped and ran from the damaged vehicle.

Photo by John Payne

All four were eventually detained within several blocks of where they crashed. A K-9 officer caught the driver, causing minor injuries. Johnston County EMS treated the juvenile at the scene.

Officers released the youth into the custody of a parent.

Photo by John Payne

State troopers, Johnston County deputies and Smithfield Police responded.

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