By LANCE MARTIN

rrspin.com

TARBORO – A Rich Square man was charged late Sunday night in a chase which started in Scotland Neck and ended in Tarboro.

Captain Tommy Parker of the Scotland Neck Police Department said the chase began after Corporal C. Little clocked a Nissan Maxima driven by a man later identified as 24-year-old Marques Banks leaving town on Highway 258 traveling an estimated 97 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone.

 

Little turned on blue lights and siren and Banks accelerated.

Speeds at one point reached 115 miles per hour and Banks lost control of the vehicle several times on Highway 258.

Edgecombe County Sheriff’s deputies, the state Highway Patrol and Tarboro Police were advised as the chase entered Edgecombe.

Banks lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to make a right turn at the intersection of Highway 258 and Daniel Street, the vehicle going into a ditch and field. Banks maintained control and continued on Daniel Street and into Tarboro.

Banks turned off the vehicle’s headlights and went into the Fairview community of Tarboro where he struck a parked vehicle. The chase continued through the intersection of North Main and Walnut streets where Banks collided with a pickup at the intersection.

Banks’ vehicle then struck a light pole, tree and fire hydrant, which caused the Maxima to flip several time. The crash caused extensive property damage at the intersection and several businesses were damaged from flying debris, Parker said.

The driver of the F-150 pickup was not seriously injured and was treated for minor injuries. Banks was also treated for minor injuries.

Banks was charged with speeding 97 in a 45, driving while impaired, felony flee to elude arrest, failure to stop for blue lights and siren, reckless driving to endanger the public, and driving left of center.

Scotland Neck and Tarboro police are working on additional charges.

Parker said in the statement, “Although Banks has an extensive criminal background, his bond was set at $2,500 at the Halifax County Magistrates Office.”

His court date is September 20.

Parker acknowledged the assistance from the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Tarboro Police Department, Tarboro Fire Department and Edgecombe County EMS.

According to arrest records, Banks has previously served time behind bars for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to sell a Schedule VI controlled substance, receiving/possession a firearm, and resisting a public officer. All of those crimes occurred in Northampton County.

In June of 2014, Banks was stopped by a Northampton County Sheriff’s Deputy for a traffic violation. He attempted to flee on foot, but was captured after a short chase.

(Lance Martin is the Editor and Publisher of www.rrspin.com. Permission was received to publish this story.)