Cassandra Queen, 34, of Lexington, North Carolina, was charged with driving while impaired, hit and run, three counts of resisting a public officer, speeding to elude arrest, damage to government property, driving left of center, failing to stop for a red light and reckless driving, according to a release from the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Public safety officers were called to the area near Toner’s Pub in downtown Morganton to investigate a hit and run involving property damage around 11:30 pm on Saturday, the release said.

Officers found a parked vehicle had been struck on the rear bumper forcing it into a utility pole. The suspect vehicle left the area. It was found shortly afterwards in the parking lot of Ingle’s on Carbon City Road, the release said.

Officers Z. Carlton and J. Chapman along with Sgt. J. Belanger made contact with Queen, the driver. Officers attempted to get cooperation from Queen using verbal de-escalation techniques but she did not cooperate, the release said.

Officers believed Queen was under the influence based on her actions, the release said. Officers saw suspected contraband in the car. Queen was told to open her car door and that she was under arrest. Officers tried opening the door using an unlock kit, but Queen started her engine. At that point, officers decided to use a punch tool to break the window, according to public safety.

Queen put her car in reverse, ramming a city of Morganton patrol car and exiting between two other cars, leaving the parking lot. Queen drove west on Carbon City Road, then turned left onto Jamestown Road, the release said. Queen refused to stop for officers’ blue lights and siren as she continued to drive erratically on Jamestown Road toward Interstate 40.

Queen turned left onto Interstate 40 east. Officers followed, ensuring the safety of others on the interstate, the release said. An NC State Highway Patrol trooper used a tire deflation device which slowly deflated Queen’s tires, causing her vehicle to come to a stop just past Exit 104 for Enola Road, the release said.

Queen was taken into custody by public safety officers, the release said. Her license was already suspended for previous DWI offenses, according to the release. Her vehicle was seized by the State of North Carolina’s “Run & You’re Done” Law.

She was booked at the Burke County Jail under a $24,000.00 secured bond. She is set to appear in court Monday, the release said.