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LINCOLNTON -- A Lincoln County man faces traffic and drug charges after allegedly fleeing from a crash scene earlier this month, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says.
Deputies say Patrick Wayne Johnson, 40, of Vale, was arrested after a crash off N.C. 27. He is being held under $51,500 bond in Lincoln County Jail, authorities say.
A deputy said he was driving westbound on N.C. 27 near Houser Farm Road on Oct. 2 when he saw an eastbound vehicle traveling 67 mph in a 55 mph zone. The deputy said he turned around, planning to stop the driver, and saw that the vehicle had turned onto Beam Lumber Road.
The deputy lost sight of the vehicle temporarily but as he came around a curve, he saw that the fleeing vehicle had gone off the road and skidded into a yard. The car was still running and the lights were on, authorities say, but the driver had fled.
Deputies say the driver left behind three bags of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office launched an investigation and said they learned Johnson was driving the car. He was arrested Saturday.
Deputies say he has been charged with probation violation; possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance; and maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for a controlled substance. Those are felony charges. He also was charged with several misdemeanors -- reckless driving; possession of drug paraphernalia; domestic criminal trespass; injury to real property; driving while license revoked; and speeding.
