A high-speed pursuit in Tyrrell County led to a three-vehicle crash in Dare County on Monday, March 2, leaving several injured and a Creswell woman charged.
According to the Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office, the incident began at approximately 3:15 p.m. when Sgt. Nathan McPeak attempted to stop a vehicle traveling 97 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 64. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Jessica Crystal Spear, allegedly refused to stop and continued eastbound.
Authorities said the chase intensified as Spear entered the Alligator River Bridge construction zone, where she drove through barricades, scattering debris into the roadway. Sgt. McPeak slowed to navigate the debris but lost sight of Spear's vehicle.
After exiting the bridge, Sgt. McPeak terminated the pursuit when he turned back toward Tyrrell County. Shortly thereafter, Dare County Communications reported that deputies had located Spear's vehicle, which again failed to yield.
Dare County deputies deployed stop sticks at the east end of the Virginia Dare Bridge, but Spear continued driving, ultimately colliding with three vehicles at the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. Highway 345, coming to rest on a guardrail.
Spear and two occupants of the other vehicles were transported to Outer Banks Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A third driver sustained minimal damage and was not injured.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which did not initiate the pursuit, is investigating the collision. Spear faces multiple charges, including Careless and Reckless Driving and Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest. More charges may follow.
The Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office thanked the Dare County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their assistance. The investigation remains ongoing.