Vehicle Crashes after Fleeing from Traffic Stop

On Monday, August 21, 2023 at approximately 1:30am, an officer with the Morganton Department of Public Safety attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a blue Mazda SUV near South Sterling Street and Grace Hospital Parkway for an equipment violation. As the Officer activated his emergency equipment on his patrol car, the driver of the vehicle began to flee from the officer by speeding away and attempting to run a red traffic light at the hospital intersection. As a result, the SUV was struck by a box truck traveling on South Sterling Street which had a green light in its direction of travel. The impact from the crash sent the Mazda SUV rolling over to the other side of the road where it came to a rest. The Public Safety Officer immediately called for EMS to respond to the scene and went to check the status of the driver. The driver was injured as a result of the traffic crash and transported by helicopter to another healthcare facility. As of this time, the driver is listed in critical condition. The driver was identified as Joshua Allen Abee, 43, of Morganton. Abee was charged with several offenses which are currently waiting to be served once medically cleared. A passenger in the vehicle also sustained minor injuries and was released from the scene. The driver of the box truck was uninjured. Abee was charged with the following offenses as a result:

Driving While Impaired
Trafficking Heroin
Maintaining a Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances
Felony Flee to Elude Arrest
Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
Simple Possession Schedule II
Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Driving While License Revoked
Reckless Driving to Endanger
Fail to Stop at a Steady Red Light