February 20, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock Police issued the following press release on Monday, following a high speed chase that started in Blowing Rock and involved the participation of at least six law enforcement agencies in two counties.

Following is the transcript prepared by Blowing Rock Police Sergeant Stacey Miller:

On Sunday, February 19 2012, at 3:06 AM, officers from the Blowing Rock Police Department arrested Travis Eugene Clark, 31, from Valdese, NC.

The arrest followed a vehicle pursuit that started in Blowing Rock and ended at the intersection of US 321 and Creekside Place, in Caldwell County.

Officer Matthew Royal, with the assistance of Sergeant Stacey L. Miller, attempted to stop the suspect after the registration plate on the suspect's 1995 Saturn had been reported stolen from the Newton area.  The suspect initially stopped for Officer Royal on US 321 just past Aho Road, but as the Officer approached the car it took off toward Boone.

The officers proceeded to pursue the suspect toward Boone, where Boone Police Officers were waiting at US 321 and Fairway Drive to provide assistance.  The suspect made a u-turn just before Niley Cook road and was headed back toward Blowing Rock with Officers still in pursuit.

Blowing Rock dispatch notified Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and The NC Highway Patrol for assistance. Deputies from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit in the Blowing Rock area.

During the incident, the suspect's tires were flattened...

At the foot of Lenoir Mountain the suspect turned onto Kirby Mountain Road with officers still in pursuit.  The pursuit continued on Kirby Mountain Road approximately 8 to 10 miles where a member of the NC Highway Patrol was waiting to provide assistance.  As he approached the Trooper, the suspect slowed and did another u-turn headed back toward the Blowing Rock and Watauga Officers. 

The pursuit continued toward US 321 and, as they were passing Mullberry Church Road, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Deputies joined and assumed the primary pursuit position. When the suspect turned back onto US 321 he was met by members of the Lenoir Police Department and the NC Highway Patrol who joined in the pursuit.

During the incident the suspect’s tires were flattened, and he continued to flee at a much slower pace onto Yadkin River Road through the Happy Valley area. Next the suspect turned onto Hollywood Ridge Road then onto Indian Grave Road before coming back out onto US 321.

The suspect drove northbound in the southbound lane briefly before turning onto Creekside Place and crashing into a ditch.

After a short foot pursuit the suspect was captured and arrested by the Blowing Rock Officers.

The suspect was charged in Watauga County with Felony Speed to Elude Arrest, Left of Center, Possession of Stolen Property, Careless and Reckless Driving and Driving While License Revoked.

Caldwell County Officers charged the suspect with Felony Speed to Elude Arrest, Failing to Heed to Blue Lights and Siren, and Resist Obstruct and Delay an Officer. Officer Royal sustained minor injuries to his hands as a result of climbing through brush to apprehend the suspect and was treated and released from Watauga Medical Center. 

The suspect’s vehicle was deemed to be a total loss due to the tires disintegrating and destroying the body of the car and the crash into the ditch. A Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department vehicle was damaged during the pursuit when a deer jumped out and struck it in the passenger’s side.

Due to a new law that took effect December 1 2011 called the Felony Speeding to Elude Vehicle Seizure Law, the suspect’s vehicle was impounded by the Blowing Rock Police Department and will be turned over to the Sheriff of Watauga County.

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