SELMA – A Selma police officer was injured during a high speed chase with a suspected impaired driver. The suspect is being held on a $2 million bond.
On Saturday, Officer J.R. Vause was running radar and attempted to stop a speeding car. The driver failed to pull over and Officer Vause began pursuing the vehicle. During the chase along Highway 301 North, the suspect and Officer Vause crashed their vehicles at the entrance to the Selma Mobile Home Park.
According to the Highway Patrol, Officer Vause and the suspect were traveling at 80mph when the suspect braked suddenly. Officer Vause attempted to drive off the road to avoid striking the fleeing vehicle but was struck in the front left of his marked Dodge SUV. At the time of impact, the patrol vehicle had its lights and siren activated.
Officer Vause was knocked unconscious in the crash. Fellow officers had to break out a window to gain access to the injured policeman. He was rushed by ambulance to Wake Medical Center where he was treated for injuries. Officer Vause is now out of the hospital recovering at home.
The suspect, 47 year-old Michael Olympia Harris of Selma, fled on foot after the crash. He was apprehended as he tried to enter his residence in the Selma Mobile Home Park. Harris, who was on probation, was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, felony serious injury by a motor vehicle, felony habitual impaired driving, speeding, driving on a revoked license, reckless driving to endanger, resisting a public officer and probation violation.
His vehicle was seized under the NC Run and You’re Done Law.
