More details have been released regarding an arrest reported earlier this week on WHKY. 47-year-old Michael John Teaster of Banner Elk was arrested Sunday (August 20) on charges filed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.

He’s charged by Highway Patrol with flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony hit and run with injury, assault with physical injury on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, driving while impaired, reckless driving with wanton disregard, fail to heed light or siren, speeding, and resisting a public officer. The Sheriff’s Office charged Teaster with three counts of felony probation violation out of county and failure to appear on a count of felony larceny.

Teaster was arrested following a high-speed chase that started in Catawba County and continued into Iredell County along Interstate 40. On Sunday at 4:20 p.m., Highway Patrol attempted to stop a blue 2021 Nissan Titan, traveling east on I-40 near mile marker 132. The initial traffic stop was reportedly due to erratic driving. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Teaster, refused to stop and a chase ensued according to Highway Patrol.

A trooper assisting in the chase attempted to perform a rolling roadblock. As the trooper was pulling beside the vehicle, the driver allegedly rammed the trooper’s vehicle. This caused the trooper to lose control and crash into the median. The trooper was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and released. The suspect vehicle continued east on I-40 into Iredell County where officers utilized stop sticks to deflate the tires. Teaster attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.

Following the arrest, Teaster was incarcerated in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $175,000 bond. A District Court date is scheduled for September 11.