Smithfield Man Charged After Police Chase Ends In Selma Motel Parking Lot

SELMA, N.C. — A Smithfield man is facing numerous charges after police said he fled from officers during a high-speed pursuit on Outlet Center Drive before crashing into a parked vehicle early Thursday morning.

Ryan James Miller, 49, of Stevens Chapel Road, Smithfield, was arrested following the incident reported around 2:48 a.m. May 14.

According to authorities, Smithfield and Selma police officers were conducting radar enforcement near the town limits on Outlet Center Drive when a Smithfield officer clocked a 2017 Ram pickup traveling 96 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.

Police said officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however the driver refused to pull over, leading officers on a pursuit along Outlet Center Drive.

The chase ended in the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Selma, where the truck briefly disappeared from officers’ view before striking a parked vehicle and coming to a stop.

Officers reported seeing Miller standing outside the pickup following the crash. Investigators said Miller claimed a female had been driving the truck and fled the scene on foot.

However, police said Miller had the keys to the vehicle in his pocket and motel security camera footage reportedly showed he was the only person to exit the truck.

Authorities said Miller refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test. Officers subsequently obtained a search warrant for a blood sample.

Selma Police charged Miller with fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, hit and run, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, expired registration, no insurance, and having an open container of alcohol in the passenger area.

He was placed in the Johnston County Jail under a $20,000 secured bond.

The pickup truck was seized under North Carolina’s Run and Done law, which allows for the seizure of vehicles used during felony fleeing to elude cases.