North Carolina: Chapel Hill officer shoots car after being hit; woman arrested

A driver was arrested Monday afternoon after she allegedly used a stolen car to hit a police officer, who then shot her tire. Police charged Joanne Kay Hall, 50, of Meriwither Drive in Durham, with four felonies – speeding to elude arrest, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill on a governmental officer, hit and run, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Additionally, she was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, driving while license revoked, speeding, careless and reckless driving and failure to yield for blue lights or siren.

She is being held in the Orange County jail under a $31,500 bail.

Chapel Hill police Officer Drew Cabe said he tried to stop the car, which had been reported stolen, for speeding around 2:35 p.m. Monday, according to a news release.

Hall fled, police said, and the officer pursued her until she ran into traffic a short time later near the intersection of U.S. 15-501 and Manning Drive. Cabe exited his car and approached Hall, who started backing up and hit the officer, police said. Cabe fired three shots at Hall’s car, deflating the left rear tire.

Police said Hall then fled but was stopped and arrested a short time later. No one was injured during the incident.

“This incident highlights how quickly a seemingly routine encounter can turn into something possibly deadly,” Police Chief Chris Blue said. “I am glad that neither the officer nor Ms. Hall was harmed in this encounter.”

Hall has a nearly 30-year criminal history, according to N.C. Department of Corrections records. She has been convicted of a number of charges, records show, including larceny, receiving stolen goods, credit card theft, receiving a stolen vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon, shoplifting, embezzlement, forgery and speeding to elude arrest.

She was last released from prison in July 2014 and was on parole until April 21.

Under departmental policy, the Police Department is conducting an administrative internal investigation into the incident. Cabe will be placed on administrative duty until the investigation ends.