A truck driver from Lenoir faces an oversized load of criminal charges after he led state troopers on a high-speed pursuit through portions of Alamance and Guilford counties on Friday.
The N.C. Highway Patrol initially locked its sights on Julian Colman Parsons at about 11:35 a.m. on Friday after it received reports of a tractor-trailer that was traveling recklessly and erratically along I-85/40. According to the highway patrol, state troopers managed to pull Parsons over near the interstate interchange for Maple Avenue only to have the driver gun his accelerator and flee.
The troopers continued to pursue the 28-year-old black male for another seven miles before he turned off the interstate at exit 138 and headed toward NC 61 in Whitsett. Parsons ultimately lost control of the unladen tractor-trailer along the exit ramp and plowed into a ditch. He then allegedly tried to escape on foot but was captured and taken into custody.
According to the highway patrol, Parsons is accused of driving while impaired, reckless driving, and felony-level speeding to elude law enforcement in addition to various other traffic offenses. He was also charged with hit and run after he allegedly struck two other vehicles during the chase – although neither of these collisions resulted in injuries.
