Corvette C4 Seized, Owner Arrested After High-Speed Chase In North Carolina

A Chevrolet Corvette C4 has been seized and its owner taken to jail following a high-speed car chase in Johnston County, North Carolina.

According to WRAL.com, the Corvette C4 was involved in a race with another vehicle on Cleveland Road in Smithfield when the two drivers (who reportedly did not know each other) passed a State Highway Patrol trooper. The trooper gave chase, which was no easy task as the cars were estimated as traveling at around 130 mph.

Chevrolet Corvette C4 (used for illustrational purposes only, not actual photo of C4 in question)

The other car was not involved for much longer because it broke down – perhaps fortunately, given the way the story was to develop. The Corvette C4, meanwhile, continued on its way for some considerable distance.

The situation became critical for the Chevy driver when he reached the intersection of Cleveland Road and NC Highway 210 and was faced with the choice of either making a sharp right turn followed by a sharp left (which would have required both considerable driving smarts and a law-abiding sensibility he had not shown up to this point) or heading straight on down the wrong side of the road.

Whichever of these options he picked, it must have been the wrong one, since he lost control and crashed into a guardrail. There were no injuries, and the Corvette C4 sustained what WRAL.com describes as “only minor damage”, though it can’t have been in as good a condition as it was when the owner bought it only days before.

Under North Carolina’s controversial “Run and You’re Done” law, which came into effect on June 23rd 2011, both cars were seized and both drivers were being held at the Johnston County Jail with charges pending against them.

Since it’s the next best thing to speeding, we invite to subscribe to GM Authority for honest Corvette news, peaceful Chevrolet news and law-abiding GM news coverage . . . or you’re done.

David has been writing about motoring and motorsport since he was 13 and racing since he was 19. He is British, and therefore apologizes for taking up too much of your time.

David Finlay

David has been writing about motoring and motorsport since he was 13 and racing since he was 19. He is British, and therefore apologizes for taking up too much of your time.

View Comments

      • The state of carolina should fix this classic up and convert it into a highway patrol car, and I highly disagree with other comments stating that this car is junk..not..it's a classic and a beautiful one at that.

    • If you're shocked, you might want to obtain a clue. The road tests back then show 145 from an L83, 155 from an L98, 165 from LT1, and 175 from an LT5. I don't have any good places to make sustained high-speed runs, but 120 is a leisurely drive in a C4, a lot nicer than 90 in my Mustang.

    • Why would u be shocked? These Cars have been doing 130 for years before this model came out, I can only imagine how shocked u would be if u found out what the new one can do lol, around 200mph😯

    • Hahaha!! I'll admit having the exact same thought!

      And calm down everyone, yea, a C4 may have had a higher top speed when new, but 30+ years takes a toll. I've had a C4 and a C5. I love Vettes, but 130 is really getting up there for that generation. Did 145 in my C5, and I can't say it felt great stability-wise. A bit floaty. Wouldn't do it again.

  • If you street race always keep a small loan on your car and they cant take it because it belongs to the finance company

    • I take my $ for bail, cell phone to call someone lay my license on the console, along with registration. Put my foot in it. Oh and hopefully not meet no cops!

  • Shit I’ve done 140 in my 06 Duramax with a topper on it. Guy that was surprised at 130 must own a Mustang that would never see 120!!!

  • My stock cross fire 84 got 130+ several times in boring IL highways. I got scared at 140, car was diving like it was doing 60.

1 2 3 7

Recent Posts