Car driven by unlicensed juvenile crashes and burns during chase, NC sheriff says

An unlicensed juvenile driver led deputies on a rush hour car chase the ended when the vehicle slammed into a tree and caught fire, according to investigators in North Carolina.

The pursuit happened around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Winston-Salem, and the juvenile was captured during a foot chase, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said in an April 2 news release.

The youth faces a list of charges, including felony fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, officials said.

“Deputies observed a vehicle driving recklessly in the 1100 block of E. 15th Street in Winston-Salem. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. ... The suspect continued to drive recklessly,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Moments later, the suspect struck another vehicle on the roadway near the intersection of New Walkertown Road and 14th Street, resulting in minor injuries to the occupants of that vehicle. The suspect then crashed into a tree, causing the vehicle to become engulfed in flames.”

The juvenile “escaped from the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot,” but was captured by deputies, officials said. The juvenile’s name and age were not released.

“The juvenile has been transported to the Alexander County Juvenile Detention Center and Homeland Security Investigation has been notified. The suspect is currently being held on a secured bond,” the sheriff’s office said.

The juvenile has been charged with:

• Felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle
• Misdemeanor speeding
• Misdemeanor driving with no operator’s license
• Misdemeanor reckless driving with wanton disregard
• Resisting a public officer
• Misdemeanor hit and run causing property damage
• Having an expired tag
• Failure to yield stop sign/flashing red light

Investigators have not said who owned the vehicle involved in the crash, or why Homeland Security Investigations was contacted.

Winston-Salem is about an 80-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 10:53 AM.