Teen charged for allegedly fleeing traffic stop, crashing into utility pole
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on November 8, 2017 12:08 PM
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Andrew James Dawson
A teenager is facing charges after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop on North Spence Avenue Tuesday night and crashing into a utility pole.
Andrew James Dawson, 17, of 215 Woodbine St., is charged with felony flee to elude, driving while impaired and resisting, delaying and obstructing.
A crash report said Dawson tried to flee when an officer initiated a traffic stop at about 10:35 p.m. by turning off his headlights and speeding up.
Dawson reached up to 60 mph during the chase.
He reportedly lost control of the car several times but was able to regain control.
Dawson then crashed into a utility pole at about 50 mph just after a bend in the 400 block of North Spence Avenue.
The pole broke into three pieces.
The report did not specify why the traffic stop was initiated.
Dawson was taken to Wayne UNC Health Care, consented to having his blood drawn and admitted to police that he smoked marijuana and was high in the hospital, the report said.
Dawson was put in the Wayne County Detention Center under a $8,500 secured bond.