Johnston County Chase Ends in Arrest

Selma, N.C. — A man led deputies on a chase through Johnston County just before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, with two other people in the car, authorities said.

Deputies initially tried to stop the car near Micro because it had been reported stolen in Dunn last month, authorities said. The chase reached speeds of 80 mph and ended after nearly 20 minutes when the driver crashed in a ditch at the intersection of Glendale Road and Old Route 22 outside Kenly, authorities said.

Billy Hodges Jr., 39, of Bud Hawkins Road in Dunn, who authorities said was driving the car, and a front-seat passenger jumped out of the car and ran, authorities said.

Hodges was arrested and charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, driving while impaired, reckless driving, speeding, driving with a revoked license, failure to stop for a blue light, failure to wear a seat belt and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.