Police: Traffic Stop Turns Into Pursuit; Two Face Charges

SMITHFIELD — Two Smithfield men are facing charges following a brief police pursuit that ended with a vehicle being disabled and one suspect attempting to flee on foot.

The incident began around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday when a Smithfield Police officer attempted to stop a Honda Accord for reportedly speeding 78 mph in a 45 mph zone on Wilson’s Mills Road. According to authorities, the driver refused to stop and continued northbound, prompting a brief pursuit.

The officer lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the chase. Minutes afterward, the Honda was located disabled on Wilson’s Mills Road near U.S. 70 in Wilson’s Mills. Officers found the passenger in a nearby ditch, while the driver had fled the scene on foot.

With the assistance of Wilson’s Mills Police, the driver was located shortly thereafter at a nearby residence.

Police identified the driver as Jakeenan Marquis Watson, 19, of Shady Lane Drive, Smithfield. He was arrested and charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest, speeding, and simple possession of a controlled substance. Officers reported recovering approximately one gram of marijuana. Watson was booked at the Johnston County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond.

The vehicle, a Honda Accord, was seized under North Carolina’s Run and Done law, which allows authorities to confiscate vehicles involved in certain felony pursuits.

The passenger, identified as Derek Ward, 19, of Landmark Drive, Smithfield, was charged with resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer. He was released on a $250 bond.