A motorcyclist led police on a high-speed chase through eastern Burke County on Wednesday in what deputies believe was an attempt to dodge a speeding ticket.
Travis Jeffrey Long, 21, of 8069 Rhodhiss Road, Connelly Springs was charged with felony fleeing to elude in a motor vehicle, resisting a public officer, injury to real property, failure to head lights and sirens, failure to stop at a stop sign and improper passing, according to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Long was also cited for speeding. Deputies plan to issue citations for driving left of center, failure to use turn signals and an inspection violation.
Deputy James Huffman was in his patrol car on Rhodhiss Road facing northeast around 1 p.m. when he clocked Long’s motorcycle heading the other way at 65 mph, according to Maj. Banks Hinceman with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. The speed limit is 45.
Huffman turned around his marked Ford Crown Victoria and caught up with Long near U.S. 70.
The motorcyclist looks as though he’s going to stop at a convenience store at the roads’ intersection, but then he got onto U.S. 70 and continued to flee.
The deputy chased Long down U.S. 70 at speeds over 100 mph — nearly double the 55 mph speed limit — and then followed Long as he turned down several side streets just inside the Rutherford College town limits.
Long came to a dead end on Locus Street, and drove his motorcycle straight through the barbed wire fence at 35 mph, according to Hinceman. The bike slowed from the mud in the field, and Long had to lay the bike down.
Huffman pulled up beside the bike, jumped out and cuffed Long.
Long was not hurt.
Brian McDaniel and his son Joe McDaniel were in their backyard when they heard the sirens screech by.
The men said they rushed out to see what was going on and watched as the motorcyclist crashed through the fence.
“He came through that barbed wire fence,” Joe said, pointing where the motorcycle had gone. “The cops were right on his tail.”
Brian said it happened quickly — in a matter of seconds — and was surprised to see the chase end in his backyard.
Joe added that Long is “lucky he wasn’t killed.”
Hinceman had the same sentiment.
“He’s really fortunate to still be here,” Hinceman said, pointing to the high speeds and amount of traffic in the area as major dangers.
Trooper Greg Gentieu with the N.C. State Highway Patrol was investigating the wreck that ended the chase.
He said the motorcycle overturned when it hit the mud and Long was ejected. He didn’t know if his agency would file charges in the case.
Long was taken to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office after the wreck, still covered in mud from the crash.
A magistrate set bond at $9,500 secured with a first appearance set for Thursday.
Sheriff Steve Whisenant said the bike was confiscated under “Run and You’re Done,” a law that allows cops to seize and auction vehicles used in a chase.
This is the second vehicle seized in Burke County under the law. The other seizure was Friday.
“I’m hoping it’s going to deter people” from fleeing, Whisenant said, before adding “We had two run and caught both of them.”
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