New Year’s Eve car chase lands one man in jail

Law enforcement agencies stayed busy throughout New Year’s night. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office made seven DWI arrests in routine traffic stops.

Three of those cases were turned over to Highway Patrol because they involved accidents. The Wilmington Police Department, Highway Patrol, and Brunswick County DWI numbers are not yet available.

At least one DWI arrest made by Wilmington Police is known, because of its unusual circumstances.

An off-duty officer was on his way home around 3:30 a.m. when he saw a car run two lights on Market Street, at an estimated 100 miles per hour. He led the officer on a bit of a chase, and finally stopped. The driver was so intoxicated he passed out after he was arrested.

He faces charges of careless and reckless driving, felony to elude arrest, and DWI.