Passenger ‘Flips Off’ Deputies During High Speed Chase

A teenage driver and two passengers were arrested after crashing their car during a chase that reached speeds over 100 miles per hour around 11:00am Wednesday.

A Johnston County deputy sheriff was traveling on Highway 210 near McGee’s Crossroads when he noticed a red Nissan Altima that was in front of him had a fictitious license plate. He attempted to stop the vehicle near the intersection of I-40, however the driver quickly maneuvered into a turn lane at the intersection and passed multiple vehicles. The vehicle turned onto I-40 westbound and at one point reached speeds of 120 mph.

Deputies said the pursuit continued from I-40 onto the Highway 70 Clayton Bypass at which time the driver significantly decreased his speed.

A passenger in the fleeing vehicle allegedly placed both hands outside the window and raised his middle fingers at the pursuing officers.  The passenger also reportedly yelled “F**k you!” at the officers.

The driver exited off the Highway 70 Bypass onto Highway 42 and then onto Cornwallis Road. The suspect traveled a couple of miles before striking a brick subdivision sign when he tried to turn onto a residential street.

Jason Daniel Vaquiz-Mendoza, 17, of Raleigh was immediately detained. He was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, driving without a license, reckless driving, fictitious registration, no insurance and speeding.    Vaquiz-Mendoza was held on a $60,000 bond.

Two passengers, both identified as juveniles, were arrested after a 9mm handgun, 165 grams of suspected marijuana and digital scales were reportedly found in their possession.