Runaway Teens Arrested After I-95 Chase Ends In Crash, Overnight Search

JOHNSTON COUNTY – Two runaway juveniles from Maine were arrested Tuesday, about 12 hours after a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 ended in a crash, an overnight manhunt and the recovery of a stolen firearm in the Four Oaks area, authorities said.

The pursuit began about 10:42 p.m. Monday when North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers attempted to stop a black Ford pickup truck traveling southbound on I-95 for speeding. Troopers said the vehicle was clocked at 95 mph in a 65-mph zone.

According to the Highway Patrol, the driver briefly pulled onto the right shoulder after troopers activated blue lights and sirens, then accelerated, reentered the roadway and fled southbound, prompting a pursuit.

During the chase, the truck passed traffic on the left shoulder, struck a guardrail in the median and continued south before exiting I-95 at Exit 87 onto Keen Road. The vehicle then ran off the roadway into an open field at a high rate of speed.

As the truck reentered the roadway at the intersection of I-95 southbound and Keen Road, it became airborne and struck the hood of a white Chevrolet Traverse. The Traverse was driven by Corayma Flores, 31, of Four Oaks.

The pickup then crossed Keen Road, struck a fence and traveled down an embankment before becoming disabled beside a mobile home. Flores was transported to UNC Health in Smithfield for treatment of minor injuries.

Two occupants exited the pickup and fled on foot into a wooded area, prompting an overnight search involving the Highway Patrol, Four Oaks Police Department and a Clayton Police Department K-9 unit.

During the search, officers received reports of two individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions knocking on nearby doors asking for a ride. Video footage from a nearby residence was reviewed to assist investigators.

Despite the extended search, neither suspect was immediately located. After the search was suspended, troopers turned their attention to the abandoned vehicle.

A search of the pickup uncovered a 9mm handgun, which was later confirmed to be stolen from Augusta, Maine.

Around 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, Highway Patrol officials in Johnston County received a call from the registered owner of the truck, who reported it had been stolen from Henrico, Virginia. Around the same time, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious persons in the area of the previous night’s crash.

Deputies made contact with two individuals who admitted they were the occupants involved in the pursuit. The Highway Patrol was notified, and both suspects were taken into custody on Parker Road near Temple Street.

Authorities identified the suspects as a 15-year-old male runaway from Augusta, Maine, who investigators said was driving the truck, and a 16-year-old female runaway from Augusta, Maine, who was a passenger.

Both juveniles were evaluated by emergency medical services at the scene. The male was transported to the Johnston County Juvenile Counselor’s Office in Smithfield, and the female to the Johnston County Detention Center. Both are expected to be transferred to a juvenile detention facility in Raleigh.

The driver faces charges including felony speeding to elude arrest, felony possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and felony hit and run involving serious injury. The passenger was charged with felony leaving the scene of a collision as a passenger.

Because both suspects are juveniles, their names were not released. Additional charges are possible.