Traffic Stop Leads to Vehicle Pursuit and Felony Arrest of Grifton Man
On August 2, 2026, at approximately 1:39 a.m., a Lenoir County Sheriff's Office D-Shift deputy was conducting traffic enforcement on N.C. Highway 11 North near Ferrell Road when he observed a vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. The deputy confirmed the vehicle was traveling 81 mph in a 60 mph zone using radar and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
After the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the driver accelerated and fled at a high rate of speed in an attempt to evade law enforcement. A vehicle pursuit was initiated, and assistance was requested from the Kinston Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The pursuit continued through the Hugo community and into Greene County, with speeds exceeding 130 mph. During the pursuit, deputies observed the driver commit numerous traffic violations, including driving left of center, failing to maintain lane control, unsafe lane movements, and passing in a no-passing zone. The vehicle eventually turned onto N.C. Highway 903 toward Snow Hill.
Deputies were able to safely bring the pursuit to an end in front of the Eastern Correctional Institution in Greene County. A felony vehicle stop was conducted, and the driver complied with deputies' commands. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The driver was identified as Michael Avram Hawks, 24, of Grifton. Hawks was transported to the W.E. "Billy" Smith Detention Center, where he appeared before a Lenoir County magistrate and was charged with the following:
Charges:
Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle
Speeding (81 mph in a 60 mph zone)
Reckless Driving to Endanger
Fail to Heed Light or Siren
Unsafe Passing (Yellow Line)
Drive Left of Center
Fail to Maintain Lane Control
Unsafe Lane Change
Unsafe Movement
Hawks received a $50,000 secured bond and was placed in the W.E. "Billy" Smith Detention Center. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Lenoir County District Criminal Court on August 3, 2026.
Pursuant to North Carolina's Run and Done Law, the vehicle operated by Hawks was seized.
Sheriff Jackie Rogers praised the actions of the deputies and assisting agencies that helped bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion.
"Reckless driving and fleeing from law enforcement place innocent motorists at extreme risk," said Sheriff Rogers. "I commend our deputies, along with our partners from the Kinston Police Department, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, for their professionalism and teamwork in bringing this dangerous situation to a safe end. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who endanger our communities by fleeing from law enforcement."
