AUTHORITIES ENGAGE IN CHASE

By Jon Mayhew

EAST LINCOLN -- Authorities from both Lincolnton Police and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were chasing an alleged intoxicated driver towing a boat.

The incident started just after 2:30 p.m. Sunday, when the Lincoln County Communications Center received a call about a drunk motorist leaving Tradewinds on East Main Street.

Lincoln County Sheriff's deputies initially joined Lincolnton Police in the chase, that reached speeds of 50 miles-per-hour down East Main Street onto Highway 27 into Gaston County.

The driver has been identified as Eric Walker Bohannon of Stanley. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, the chase was moving from Lincoln into Gaston County down Highway 27. He was taken into custody by authorities around 3:10 p.m.

Bohannon was towing a boat, according to radio traffic. Authorities said he was also running cars off the road in an attempt to elude authorities.

Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, along with Gaston County Authorities, were traveling west on Highway 27, attempting to intercept the chase.

Radio traffic indicated Bohannon had no warrants for his arrest in either Lincoln or Gaston Counties. Lincoln County authorities planned on charging Bohannon since the chase originated in Lincoln County.

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