Car crashes into Garner apartment building with toddler in front seat

Tyref Yamere Smith, 23, was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest and possession of marijuana.

Garner police said a chase began when officers attempted to stop a car for a registration violation in the 400 block of Benson Road.

Police said two men, Smith and 29-year-old Louis C. Brock, and one toddler were in the car at the time of the crash. The toddler was sitting on the lap of a passenger and was not properly restrained in a car seat.

The 2-year-old boy was taken to WakeMed after the crash as a precaution.

Brock was charged with possession of marijuana.

Nobody inside the apartment was injured, authorities said.

Lincoln Johnson, who lives in the apartment with his wife, said they had just moved in last week.

"We get a call and our landlord said somebody ran through our house. We didn't know what to think," he said. "We just moved in and, all of a sudden, this here happens."

Johnson said he is relieved he and his wife were not home at the time of the crash because one of the damaged walls was part of their bedroom.

"It could have been worse. If we would have been home, maybe one of us would have gotten hurt or something. We're grateful that we weren't," he said.

Johnson's upstairs neighbor, John Andrews, heard the crash happen underneath him.

"There's a train track about a hundred yards right there. I thought a train had jumped the tracks and was coming in on us, but it wasn't," he said. "That noise reminded me of the 377 days I spent in southeast Asia."

Officials said it could take several weeks, if not months, to repair Johnson's apartment. In the meantime, Johnson's insurance company will pay for the couple to stay in a hotel.

Andrews was staying with one of his daughters Friday night.

Police said the car Smith was driving was seized once it was removed from the apartment building.

Authorities said more charges are possible in connection with the incident.