Teen Arrested After High-Speed Chase Through Johnston County, Facing Multiple Charges

SMITHFIELD, NC — An 18-year-old from Angier, Evelyn Diaz-Lopez, was arrested Wednesday (Nov. 27) following a dangerous high-speed chase with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) that resulted in two crashes and multiple charges, according to a warrant.

The incident began when Diaz-Lopez was reportedly speeding through a highway work zone on I-40, reaching speeds of 99 m.p.h. and escalating to 150 m.p.h. She fled from a trooper who attempted a traffic stop.

During the pursuit, Diaz-Lopez caused two crashes. One collision damaged three vehicles on State Road 1010, and another caused damage to a vehicle in the parking lot of Dollar General. Both crashes resulted in property damage exceeding $1,000. She fled the scene of both crashes, the warrant states.

After crashing her vehicle a second time, Diaz-Lopez fled on foot. Upon apprehension after a short foot chase, she provided a false name to law enforcement and was found without a valid driver’s license.

Diaz-Lopez faces the following charges:

• Fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle (felony)
• Reckless driving with wanton disregard (misdemeanor)
• Failure to heed police lights/sirens (misdemeanor)
• Hit-and-run with property damage (two counts) (misdemeanor)
• Resisting a public officer (misdemeanor)
• Speeding (two counts) (misdemeanor)
• Fictitious information to an officer (misdemeanor)
• Failure to carry a valid driver’s license (infraction)

Diaz-Lopez is being held on a $200,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Johnston County Court on Saturday.

No injuries have been reported in the collisions.