A North Carolina man who fled from a traffic stop in Greene County and later crashed was arrested May 28 when deputies found approximately 18 pounds of marijuana in his trunk.
Daniel Newsome, 25, of Hope Mills, N.C., faces multiple charges, including speeding, failure to maintain lane, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, obstruction or hindering an EMT, a hands-free violation, and trafficking marijuana.
According to reports, Deputy Leo Sierra stopped a gray Nissan Altima driven by Newsome near milepost 134.5 on I-20 for speeding in an active construction zone. Upon approaching the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of overspray, commonly used to mask the smell of marijuana.
When Sierra made contact, Newsome was peeling an orange, which introduced an additional strong citrus odor inside the vehicle, according to the report.
When Sierra asked Newsome to exit the vehicle, Newsome questioned the legality of the stop and Sierra’s authority to order him to get out of the car.
Sierra cited case law that established he was lawfully permitted to request Newsome to exit the vehicle.
Newsome continued to argue and refused to comply with the lawful order even after he was advised that failure to comply would result in his arrest for obstruction.
Despite the warning, Newsome again refused to exit the vehicle, placed the vehicle in drive, and fled the traffic stop.
Sierra contacted dispatch to advise of an active vehicle pursuit and notified the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
Newsome fled eastbound on I-20 at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. He was also observed weaving in and out of traffic and passing vehicles on the right shoulder emergency lane, nearly causing a collision with another vehicle, according to the report.
GSP joined the pursuit near mile marker 165 and assumed the lead. Newsome continued driving recklessly, reaching speeds over 120 miles per hour and passing vehicles on the left shoulder.
Near mile marker 172, Newsome lost control and came to a stop in a ditch. He was taken into custody without further incident with the assistance of GSP and McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed two cardboard boxes containing multiple vacuum-sealed bags of a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana.