CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A 15-year old is in the hospital after a chase reached speeds up to 120 miles per hour.
Deputies said he eventually crashed into an electric pole, knocking out power to hundreds of families.
Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office said the teenager was talking after the wreck and is being treated at Baptist Hospital.
Eyewitnesses told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty there weren’t any skid marks after the teen crashed into a power pole.
A viewer shared a photo of the wrecked SUV after the chase went for about four miles down Highway 127, south of Hickory.
Deputies said they started the chase after the teenager was spotted speeding and driving recklessly along the highway.
We’ve since confirmed he didn’t have a license or learner’s permit and was in a family member’s SUV.
We spoke with several folks who live in the area and said the teenager shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
“It’s scary. You can kill yourself, somebody else – it’s just a child,” one resident told Channel 9. “Where are the parents at? It’s extremely scary.”
The power was also knocked out to Fred T. Foard High School and a nearby middle school.
Channel 9 learned it was a teacher workday, so thankfully, there was no impact to students in the area.
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