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A Columbus County woman accused of stealing a car led deputies on a high-speed chase that reached over 100 mph through a North Carolina highway work zone, according to court records filed on March 26, 2025. The incident underscores the extreme risks posed to construction workers and motorists when fleeing suspects disregard safety zones.
Court documents state that Columbus County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description of a car reported stolen earlier that day from a local business parking lot. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jessica Lynn Turner (name withheld pending formal charges, per court records), refused to pull over and accelerated onto U.S. Route 74 near the town of Whiteville.
Witnesses told deputies they saw the silver sedan weave through traffic and enter a marked work zone where road crews were conducting resurfacing projects. Radar readings captured by a pursuing deputy’s dashboard camera clocked the vehicle at 102 mph – nearly double the posted 55 mph limit and well above the 45 mph reduced speed in the construction area.
“Work zones are already hazardous due to narrow lanes, uneven surfaces, and workers just feet from live traffic. Adding a suspect fleeing at 100 mph creates a life-threatening situation for everyone,” said Sgt. Mark Henderson, a traffic safety expert with the North Carolina Highway Patrol who reviewed the case (not involved in the pursuit).
The chase lasted approximately 12 minutes and covered 17 miles before the suspect lost control and struck a temporary concrete barrier near the Bolivia exit. No workers were injured, but two members of a paving crew told deputies they “dove for cover” as the car screamed past them.
“I heard the sirens first, then this blur of metal came flying through. The cones went everywhere. It’s a miracle nobody got killed,” said Roberto Mendez, a 15-year veteran of road construction who was on-site that day.
Upon arrest, Turner was charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, fleeing to elude arrest with aggravation (a Class H felony in North Carolina), reckless driving, and speeding in a work zone. Her bond was set at $250,000. She is scheduled for a first court appearance on March 31.
Under North Carolina law, fleeing to elude arrest with aggravated circumstances – such as driving over 100 mph or endangering workers – carries a potential prison sentence of up to 39 months. Additionally, the stolen vehicle charge could add another 25 to 68 months, depending on the vehicle’s value.
The case has reignited debate about work zone enforcement. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were 5,217 work zone crashes in the state in 2024, resulting in 29 fatalities. Speeding was a contributing factor in 42% of those incidents.
“Chases through work zones are unfortunately not uncommon. When a suspect decides to flee, the area becomes a ticking time bomb,” said Dr. Anne Kowalski, a traffic safety researcher at UNC Chapel Hill. “We need better notification systems that automatically slow or stop vehicles when they enter work zones, and stronger penalties for those who endanger workers.”
Turner remains in custody at Columbus County Detention Center. Her court-appointed attorney declined to comment. However, court records indicate she has a prior misdemeanor conviction for resisting an officer from 2021. No further criminal history was listed.
Deputies recovered the stolen vehicle, which sustained front-end damage. The owner, a 47-year-old local resident, expressed relief that the car was recovered but angered by the unnecessary danger: “It’s not just about a car – it’s about the lives she could have taken.”
In light of this incident, authorities remind drivers never to attempt to intervene or follow a fleeing vehicle. Instead, call 911 and provide as many details as possible – license plate, vehicle description, direction of travel, and location. Work zone safety also demands slowing down well before entering construction areas, even when no workers are visible.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release additional dashcam footage this week. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine traffic stop can escalate into a high‑risk chase, especially when work zones are involved.
This story was updated on March 26, 2025, with the latest court filings and expert commentary.
