TYRRELL AND DARE COUNTIES – A Creswell resident was hospitalized and faces charges after leading law enforcement officers in two counties on a high-speed chase in Tyrrell and Dare counties.
Sgt. Nathan McPeak with the Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Jessica Crystal Spear, 38, of Creswell, for speeding 97 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone on US 64, at approximately 3:15 p.m. Monday, March 2, according to information from the Tyrrell and Dare County Sheriff’s Offices. Spear refused to stop and continued east on US 64, toward Dare County.
As the chase entered the Alligator River Bridge, Spear drove through construction barricades, throwing debris into the highway.
Sgt. McPeak slowed down to navigate through the debris and lost sight of Spear’s vehicle. After exiting the bridge, Sgt. McPeak attempted to locate the suspect vehicle again and was unsuccessful. At that time, Sgt. McPeak terminated the pursuit and turned around to head back into Tyrrell County.
A short time after, he was notified by Dare County Communications that Dare County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle and was attempting to stop Spears. The suspect vehicle also failed to stop for Dare County units. Dare County units deployed stop sticks at the east end of the Virginia Dare Bridge to slow the suspect vehicle down. Stop sticks are specialized, triangular, hollow-spike devices used by law enforcement to safely deflate vehicle tires and end high-speed pursuits.
Spear continued to drive and struck three vehicles at the intersection of Highway 345 and US 64. Spear’s vehicle came to rest on top of a guardrail. Spear and two crash victims were taken to Outer Banks Health Hospital for unknown injuries. The third victim had very little damage to her vehicle and did not appear to have injuries.
At this time, Spear has been charged with Careless and Reckless Driving and speeding 97 mph in a 55-mph zone. More charges are pending.
Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and the NC State Highway Patrol for their assistance.