Troopers: Teen led chase in stolen car

Garner, N.C. — A 14-year-old driver and 16-year-old passenger led authorities on a high-speed chase on Interstate 40 Monday morning, ending with a wreck at the U.S. Highway 70 exit, state troopers said.

Alisa Welty, 16, of Clayton, and the younger girl – whose name was not released due to her age – met Monday while staying at a den mother's house in Johnston County, troopers said. The woman, whose name was not released, was to watch the girls for the day as part of the Alternative Life program, out of Durham.

One of the girls quickly stole the keys to the woman's gold Toyota Corolla, and both took off in it, troopers said.

They drove to Raleigh, and a Wake County sheriff's deputy noticed the 14-year-old driving recklessly on South Saunders Street around 11 a.m. The Toyota had been reported as stolen.

The deputy activated his lights and tried to pull them, but the 14-year-old drove over the median and started towards Garner. The deputy lost sight of them, but other deputies picked the chase again on I-40, near U.S. 70.

The car was traveling at about 100 mph on the exit ramp from eastbound I-40 onto U.S. 70 when the driver lost control, and the car went over a guard rail and into some trees, authorities said.

Both teens suffered wounds serious enough for them to be taken to WakeMed's trauma unit, but they were both expected to be OK, troopers said.

Both girls were charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle. The driver was also charged with driving without a license, reckless driving, going 100 in a 65-mph zone and felony attempt to elude arrest.

Traffic on U.S. 70 was reduced to one lane in the area until about 12:30 p.m. while authorities investigated the case and removed the car.

Welty was being cared for by a foster mother in Durham, and the 14-year-old has been in and out of foster-care system and has documented drug problems, troopers said. They met for the first time Monday.

Their den mother regularly watches troubled children on a day-to-day basis as needed, troopers said. Neither of the teens lived with her.

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Latest Comments

The fact they were more than likely in the custody of Durham County DSS says it all to me. They excuse way too much behavior from their foster children. Climbing out windows at night to meet men and have sex a worker eplained as "typical teenage behavior." NOT where I am concerned!

kal
February 3, 2009 7:20 a.m.

doggie/ From reading your comment it sounds like maybe the police have had to chase you in the past.

ccs1920
February 2, 2009 9:34 p.m.

"But, research shows that the frontal lobe continues to develop into the early 20s. "

I heard that too, Mizzzeta. I wonder what the evolutionary advantage of the latency is? Or does it explain why men's sexual peak is 17? Peak early, but die young. ;^)

"So, if you get cut off by a cop chasing a rapist on your way to a movie, keep your disdain to a min."

No disdain, just wondering about safety.

Timbo
February 2, 2009 8:28 p.m.

srhordes4,,,what i bet u'd b whining if they hit u or your family and u found out the police didn't stop them because the ran.....ignorance is blis

ccacrabbitdog
February 2, 2009 7:58 p.m.

"Some of you people are pretty hard on the two teens without knowing all the facts, not saying what they did was right, but come on, IF they didn't survive, you would be posting more heartfelt comments. Did any of you ever do anything totally STUPID before? Anything you want to share with the public?"

Oh really? And just how would you have felt if those poor girls had killed your spouse, child, parent, relative in a 100 mile chase from the police.

Yes, we all did stupid things as kids...but I can say that I was never involved in a high speed chase with the police. That's criminal, not stupid

grayboomerang
February 2, 2009 7:49 p.m.