AULANDER – For the second time in less than a week, local North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers have made an arrest under a new state law.

David C. Miller, 47, of Cale Street, Windsor, was arrested Friday night after leading several NCHP troopers on a motor vehicle chase. Upon his arrest, Miller was charged with felony speed to elude arrest, DWI, possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage and a driver’s license restriction violation. He was jailed under a $2,500 secured bond.

Due to the excessive speed in the chase, which reached 70 mph, Miller fell under a new law – “Run and You’re Done” which took effect Dec. 1. His vehicle, a Ford pick-up truck, was seized due to the new law. It was turned over to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Sgt. Mike Warren of the NCHP office in Ahoskie, the chase began around 9:30 p.m. after Miller allegedly failed to stop at a driver’s license checkpoint set up on NC 305 at Connaritsa.

Warren said that NCHP troopers J.V. Reid and J.O. Walter activated the blue lights and sirens on their vehicles and gave chase, noting that the suspect vehicle was traveling between 65-70 mph in a 45 mph zone on RP 1200 (Hexlena Road).

The chase continued after Miller’s truck turned right at Hexlena onto south Early Station Rd. (RP 1228). He then turned right onto Burden Fire Road (RP 1129), a gravel road, where speeds reached 65 mph. At the end of that road, Miller ran the stop sign and turned left on NC 305 south towards Windsor. Upon reaching the Charles Taylor Road (RP 1221), Miller turned right and again accelerated to 65 mph. As he approached Republican Road (RP 1225), Miller attempted to turn right, but missed the turn and drove his truck into a ditch.

At that point, Warren said Reid and trooper Chris Copeland, who had joined the chase, drew their handguns to conduct a felony traffic stop. Using loud verbal commands, Miller was distracted, allowing Walter to slip in unnoticed and place handcuffs on the driver.

“It was a textbook arrest,” Warren said. “The guys did a great job in making this vehicle stop, they did it by the book.”

Warren shared a few words of advice for those who think they can outrun law enforcement officials, in this case it covered 10.9 miles and took 10 minutes.

“Don’t jeopardize innocent motorists, let alone yourself, by speeding to elude arrest,” he stated. “With this new law now in effect you will lose your vehicle if convicted of felony speed to elude arrest.”

The newly enacted law gives law enforcement officers the authority to impound a person’s vehicle if a driver attempts to flee. Upon the driver’s arrest, the vehicle becomes the property of the state while the case goes through the normal legal channels. If the court system finds the driver guilty as charged, the impounded vehicle can possibly be sold at public auction with proceeds benefitting public education.