FFROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man faces a felony charges in connection with a high-speed chase that spanned more than 20 miles until his vehicle became disabled.

The Statesville Police Department announced the arrest of Steven Tyler Hass, 26, of High Point Avenue, Statesville, in a news release.

About 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, an SPD officer observed a traffic violation involving a 2003 black Chrysler PT Cruiser as it made a left turn from Wilson Lee Boulevard west onto U.S. Highway 70, police said.

After the driver accelerated noticeably above the posted speed limit while traveling west on U.S. 70, the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled leading to the pursuit, according to the news release.

Hass ted east onto Interstate 40 at the 148-mile marker, with the pursuit continuing eastbound at speeds reaching approximately 100 mph, police said.

N.C. State Highway Patrol troopers deployed stop sticks in the vicinity of the 166-mile marker, which the fleeing vehicle struck. Despite the impact, Hass continued traveling east on I-40 and exited onto U.S. Highway 64 at the 168-mile marker, police said.

The PT Cruiser began swerving across lanes on U.S. 64, continuing for about 1.25 miles before stopping near the intersection of U.S. 64 and Madison Road in Mocksville.

SPD officers, with the assistance of the state troopers and the Davie County Sheriff’s Office, then took Hass into custody without further incident.

Hass has been charged with felony flee to elude arrest, misdemeanor driving while impaired, no operator’s license, failure to stop for blue light and siren, reckless driving, directional signals violation, left of center, improper passing on the right, failure to yield at stop sign/traffic signal and driving without two headlamps.

Hass was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where a magistrate set his bond at $25,000.

The Statesville Police Department extends its gratitude to the N.C. State Highway Patrol and the Davie County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the pursuit and safe apprehension of the suspect.