34-year-old Cassandra Leigh Queen of Lexington, N.C. was arrested Saturday by Morganton Public Safety Officers. She’s charged with felony flee to elude arrest, hit & run, leaving the scene with property damage, three counts of resisting a public officer, speeding, reckless driving, driving the wrong way on a dual lane highway, speeding, fail to burn headlamps, and failing to stop for a stop signs.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday, officers were called to the area of Toner’s Pub in downtown Morganton to investigate a hit and run involving property damage. Upon arrival, officers discovered a parked vehicle had been struck, forcing it into a utility pole. The suspect vehicle left the area but was found shortly afterward in the parking lot of Ingle’s on Carbon City Road. The driver was identified as Cassandra Queen.
Officers attempted to gain cooperation from Queen using verbal de-escalation techniques; however, those efforts were not met. Officers believed Queen was under the influence of an impairing substance based on her actions and observation of suspected contraband in the car. Queen was commanded to open her car door and told she was under arrest.
Officers attempted opening the door using an unlock kit; however, Queen reportedly started her engine at which point the decision was made to use a punch-tool to break the window. Queen put her car in reverse, ramming a City of Morganton Patrol Car and exiting between two other cars, leaving the parking lot.
According to reports, Queen continued west on Carbon City road, making a left onto Jamestown road. Queen reportedly refused to stop for officers’ blue lights and siren as she continued to drive erratically on Jamestown Road toward Interstate 40. Queen made a left onto Interstate 40 and proceeded eastbound as officers followed; ensuring the safety of others on the interstate.
A Trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol successfully deployed a controlled tire deflation device which slowly deflated Queen’s tires, causing her vehicle to come to a stop just past the Enola Road exit 104. Queen was taken into custody by Public Safety.
Queen’s license was already suspended for previous driving while impaired offenses and the manner in which she attempted to evade police led to her vehicle being seized by the State of North Carolina’s “Run & You’re Done” Law.
Queen was confined to the Burke County Jail under $24,000 secured bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled Monday, August 26th.