MORGANTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Morganton woman received her third DWI charge after failing to stop during a traffic stop on New Year’s Day, police say.
Around 2:20 a.m., a Morganton Department of Public Safety officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a stop sign violation on W. Fleming Drive near Burkemont Avenue.
While the officer called in the traffic stop, the driver drove off at a high rate of speed before changing lanes without signaling and colliding with a curb. The officer activated his red and blue emergency lights to signal the driver to pull over. The driver did not stop and continued onto W. Fleming near Morganton Heights Blvd.
Police say, the vehicle sped up to 58 mph and crossed two lanes into oncoming traffic. It continued past several locations to stop, then abruptly slowed down and pulled into the Wash House’s parking lot. The driver missed the entrance and collided again with the curb.
The driver, later identified as Irea Suionne Uebele, 46, of Morganton, refused to provide her license and exit the vehicle.
Uebele was placed under arrest and charged with the following:
- Driving While Impaired (DWI)
- Failure to Heed to Lights and Siren
- Stop Sign Violation
- Stop Light Violation
- Speed 58 mph in 45 mph Zone
- Fail to Use Turn Signals
- No Operators License
- Driving Left of Center
- Wrong Way Driving
- Open Container
- Resist, Delay Obstruct and Officer
- Assault on a Government Official
The vehicle being driven by Uebele was seized for previous DWI convictions.
Officials say Uebele has two previous DWI convictions, two speeding convictions, one violation of alcohol restrictions and one conviction of no child restraint in the rear seat of a vehicle among several other charges.
Uebele was held under a $5,000 bond and her court dates are set for February 24, 2025 and May 5, 2025.
