UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Waxhaw man is facing a slew of charges after leading deputies on a high-speed chase while dragging a piece of barbed wire fence in Union County, investigators said.
A Union County deputy attempted to stop 24-year-old Chandler Kowalski last week, the sheriff's office said. Kowalski allegedly sped away from the deputy at a high rate of speed, turning onto a dead-end road near the Monroe Bypass. Kowalski allegedly crashed through a fence and entered the bypass after driving down a large embankment, dragging a large piece of barbed wire fence that was hooked to his car's undercarriage.
Deputies followed Kowalski until he crashed into a guardrail and was arrested near where the chase began. Kowalski appeared to be impaired according to the deputies, who called in a drug recognition expert for assistance. There was a woman inside the car who told deputies that Kowalski wouldn't let her get out at any time during the pursuit. The woman, who hasn't been identified, was injured in the crash and is recovering.
Kowalski was taken into custody and faces several charges, including flee to elude, kidnapping, DWI, hit and run and driving without a license. He remains in custody under a $42,500 bond.
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