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Numerous charges filed after high-speed chase

By Carey Phillips
A chase Saturday night that lasted nearly 30 minutes and reached speeds of 90 mph resulted in numerous charges against a Kings Mountain man.

Jack Woodrow Breakfield, 33, is being held in the Jackson County Jail with two bonds totaling $23,500.

Although officers did not know it when the chase started, the 1999 Explorer being driven by Breakfield turned out to be stolen.

The chase started on the U.S. 23-74 Bypass near Sylva, went to Dillsboro, returned through Sylva and continued south on N.C. 107 past Cullowhee, came back toward Cullowhee and finally ended on S.R. 1002 near Cane Creek.

Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison said a report was received of a man stealing items from the Amoco Food Shop on 23-74. The clerk was able to provide a vehicle description and a partial license tag number.

Moments later, at about 11:50 p.m., Officer Kim Hooper of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department attempted to stop the westbound vehicle on the Bypass and the chase ensued. Officers Shannon Ashe, Vince Brestle and John Buchanan of the Sylva Police Department joined the pursuit. Jamison said the highest speed was around 90 mph on the Bypass.

The Explorer took the U.S. 441 exit at Dillsboro and changed directions a few times on the exit ramps before heading east on 23-74. Breakfield took the Sylva exit on Grindstaff Cove Road then went the wrong way on Mill Street. After hitting N.C. 107, he continued south past Cullowhee before turning onto Moody Bridge Road.

Jamison said Breakfield attempted to ram two police cars in a hay field then returned to 107 and headed north. He said troopers from the N.C. Highway Patrol deployed stop sticks, devices that puncture tires, as the Explorer came back to 107, causing the tires to slowly deflate. Breakfield turned onto 1002 where stop sticks were again used by the Highway Patrol. By the time the chase ended, the two back tires and the left front tire were all coming off the Explorer, Jamison said.

Jamison said Breakfield refused to exit the vehicle and officers had to break a window to gain access to him.

At least 16 charges have been field against Breakfield. They include possession of a stolen vehicle, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, assault with a deadly weapon, injury to personal property, larceny, possession of stolen goods, speeding, reckless driving to endanger, speeding to elude arrest, reckless driving after drinking, giving a false report to an officer, lighting equipment violation, stop sign violation, driving left of center, and resist, obstruct, delay an officer.

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