A Raleigh man accused of leading authorities on a chase through Raleigh on Thursday afternoon is facing multiple charges, including drug trafficking, according to an arrest warrant.
The chase, which began on Interstate 40 west at the Interstate 440 exit, snaked its way through Raleigh before ending on southbound Capital Boulevard near Sumner Boulevard.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, at 3:25 p.m., a trooper attempted stop the silver 2009 Cadillac for reckless driving while it was heading west on I-40 at the I-440 exit. Instead, the driver ignored the siren and lights and continued traveling onto I-440, authorities said.
The trooper stopped chasing the Cadillac once they reached New Bern Avenue due to high traffic in the area. Then, at 3:44 p.m., a Wake County Sheriff’s Office deputy came into contact with the driver and began a pursuit, highway patrol said.
According to witness Andreas Lopez, who works at Johnson Lexus of Raleigh, the chase ended after the Cadillac jumped the curb and stopped on the grass and the driver was pulled out of the car.
“You could hear the sirens coming and the cars coming zooming by. He pulled over the curb into the grass. I’m pretty sure he knew he was done for,” said Lopez.
The driver, who was arrested at the scene, has since been identified as Jesus Goicochea, 21.
According to the warrant, Goicochea was in possession of more than a pound of cocaine.
Court documents also show that Goicochea sold an ounce of cocaine and approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.
Goicochea is facing four counts of trafficking in cocaine, three counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, one count maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for keeping/selling controlled substance, one count of flee elude arrest with motor vehicle, and one count of aggressive driving.
According to arrest records, Goicochea was given a $1.02 million secured bond on the charges, but because he violated parole, he is being held in the Wake County Detention Center without bond.
