AHOSKIE – A Greenville man faces one felony charge and numerous traffic violations after leading Ahoskie Police on a high-speed chase across two counties here Monday.

Darail Jerome Askew, 21, was jailed under a $30,000 secured bond on the charges of felony flee to elude arrest, no operator’s license, speeding, driving left of center, stop light violation, careless and reckless driving, passing on the right, aggressive driving, failure to stop for a blue light and siren and carrying a concealed weapon.

Ahoskie Police Major Jimmy Asbell reported that the chase began after Officer Blake Mizelle was answering a call at PineGate Apartments dealing with a man who had pulled a weapon on another man in the parking lot. Mizelle was given a description of the vehicle and observed that car leaving the PineGate parking lot.

Knowing there was a weapon involved, Mizelle performed a felony traffic stop on the suspect vehicle, verbally ordering the driver out of the car. However, that driver (Askew) did not heed the order and drove away.

Assisted by APD Officer Chad Wheeler, Mizelle began to pursue Askew’s vehicle, which headed east on First Street, turned south on Academy Street and eventually made its way out to NC 11 south.

At speeds in excess of 100 mph, the suspect vehicle attempted to outrun the police pursuit. However, the vehicle experienced mechanical troubles just north of the Harrington Bridge over the Roanoke River in Bertie County. There, Askew’s vehicle stopped on the right side of the road at which time he attempted to flee on foot, but Mizelle and Wheeler were able to quickly place him under arrest.

“We appreciate the other law enforcement units that were on their way to assist us,” Major Asbell said. “I would also like to commend officers Mizelle and Wheeler for the way they handled this chase by the book. They were able to keep the suspect vehicle in sight without endangering the motoring public.”

The officers were also able to retrieve a handgun Askew threw from the vehicle just prior to stopping.

Askew’s first court appearance is scheduled for today (Tuesday).