3 suspects caught after chase on I-540 in Raleigh; driver charged

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A police chase caused big delays for commuters Thursday morning on Interstate 540.

Chopper 11 found the source of the backup on the westbound side of I-540 near Six Forks Road. A silver truck with its front passenger tire missing could be seen facing the wrong way off the side of the road.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed to ABC11 that there were three people in that truck. Investigators were chasing after them when they went off the road, jumped out of the truck and ran off.

About a mile north, in a nearby neighborhood, investigators caught up with and took all three suspects into custody.

A fourth passenger, a woman, stayed in the truck.

The incident began about 7:30 a.m. when a state trooper attempted to stop a silver Toyota Tacoma for speeding 110 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-540 near Leesville Road.

The driver did not stop for lights and sirens and exited onto Creedmoor Road. The driver then made several turns onto side streets and got back on I-540 eastbound from Six Forks Road.

The truck slowed and three men jumped out and ran near Falls of The Neuse Road and I-540.

Raleigh police officers and Wake County deputies assisted with the arrests. No one was injured.

The driver, Axel Sanchez Velazquez, 23, of the 1500 block of Woodway Club Drive in Durham, was served with eight outstanding warrants, including five felonies. In connection with Thursday's pursuit, he was charged with felony flee to elude arrest, speeding 110 mph in a 70-mph zone, careless & reckless, driving while license revoked, fictitious plate, no insurance, driving the wrong way, seatbelt violation, possession of less oz. marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony possession of methamphetamines.

He was placed under a $40,000 secured bond.