A traffic stop attempt in Tyrrell County escalated into a multi-agency pursuit Monday afternoon, culminating in a three-vehicle crash in Dare County that resulted in multiple injuries.
According to the Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office, the incident began on Monday, March 2, at 3:15 p.m. Sgt. Nathan McPeak initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle speeding at 97 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone on U.S. Highway 64. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Jessica Crystal Spear of Creswell, allegedly refused to stop and continued eastbound.
Authorities reported that the pursuit intensified as Spear entered the Alligator River Bridge construction zone, where she drove through barricades, scattering debris into the roadway. Sgt. McPeak slowed down to navigate the debris and lost sight of the vehicle.
Later, Dare County Communications notified Sgt. McPeak that deputies from the Dare County Sheriff's Office had located Spear's vehicle trying to pull her over. However, Spear again failed to comply.
Dare County deputies deployed stop sticks at the east end of the Virginia Dare Bridge but were unsuccessful in halting her vehicle. Spear later collided with three vehicles at the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. Highway 345, ultimately coming to a stop on a guardrail.
Spear and two other drivers were transported to Outer Banks Hospital with minor injuries. A third vehicle sustained minimal damage but had no reported injuries.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which did not initiate the pursuit, is investigating the incident. Spear faces multiple charges, including Careless and Reckless Driving and Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest. Additional charges may be forthcoming. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office thanked the Dare County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their assistance.