Woman Jailed After Chase Through Burke And Catawba Counties

A vehicle chase that started in Burke County ended with a PIT maneuver Wednesday night in Catawba County.

Emya Terica Howard, 23, is charged with felony speeding to elude arrest, along with a variety of traffic infractions, after a chase along Interstate 40 early Wednesday evening.

The chase started when a NC Highway Patrol Trooper tried to stop Howard on I-40 eastbound near Icard for traveling nearly 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. Howard failed to stop, sending troopers on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph.

The pursuit ended at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory when a trooper performed a PIT maneuver. A PIT maneuver is used by law enforcement to force a vehicle to abruptly turn sideways and come to a stop.

No one was injured during the chase, and no damage was done to any other vehicles.

Howard was wanted on several outstanding warrants from other counties, including three counts of common law robbery, two counts of habitual larceny, larceny by destroying an anti-theft device, and several other larceny charges, along with a probation violation and a simple assault charge, according to information available from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

She’s being held at the Burke County Jail under a total $223,500 bond.

Photo: Burke County Sheriff’s Office