Jamie Steele, the North Carolina Southern Baptist pastor who allegedly crashed his automobile whereas driving underneath the affect after which threatened to hurt himself throughout an armed standoff with native police, has been positioned on go away.
In an announcement posted on Fb final Friday, East Taylorsville Baptist Church acknowledged the Jan. 24 incident involving their 53-year-old senior pastor that prompted native faculties to be closed, WCNC Charlotte reported.
“We’re conscious of the occasions that occurred on January twenty fourth in downtown Taylorsville involving our Senior Pastor Jamie Steele,” the church started in an announcement.
“Our council of deacons has met a number of occasions and is actively concerned in monitoring this case. Presently, Pastor Steele has been positioned on go away till we’ve all the data.”
A police report cited by the Hickory File says police noticed the pastor's white Toyota Tacoma truck driving west on West Most important Avenue on Jan. 24 shortly earlier than 1 p.m. The truck was turning left and crossed the double yellow line in entrance of him. crashed into 4 utility poles close to the intersection of West Most important Avenue and Seventh Avenue SW.
Two of the utility poles broke and energy traces have been left hanging throughout the street, forcing police to shut it. WCNC officers mentioned that after noticing that Steele appeared impaired, they referred to as Alexander County EMS personnel to evaluate him after the crash. When staff arrived on the scene and tried to examine on him for accidents, the pastor allegedly began waving a gun round, prompting police to evacuate the world and name for backup.
Police described the weapon as a semi-automatic handgun, in response to the Hickory File.
“Whereas wanting down on the energy traces, I seen a number of first responders and witnesses working away from the automobile concerned within the accident,” Taylorsville Police Lt. Kevin Elder mentioned in a report cited by the Hickory File. “I heard (Alexander County Sheriff's Deputy) Caudle yelling on the radio, however I couldn't make out what he was saying. I spoke to Adrian Foster, who got here as much as me and mentioned the driving force simply pulled out a gun, began pointing it at individuals round and put a gun to your head.
Steele allegedly threatened to hurt himself and fired one shot from contained in the crashed truck, however nobody was injured. It took about an hour for the pastor to give up to the police and one other six hours for the street to be cleared.
The pastor was charged with driving underneath the affect, reckless driving with reckless imprudence, firearms inside metropolis limits, open container of alcohol, property harm, carrying a hid weapon, armed to terrorize the general public, driving left of heart, exceeding the protected pace restrict and passing dangerously.
East Taylorsville Baptist Church didn’t instantly reply when contacted by The Christian Publish on Thursday.
“We’re additionally conscious that since February 2nd, many prices have been filed in opposition to Pastor Steele by the Taylorsville Police Division. All questions associated to the allegations must be directed to the Taylorsville Police Division,” the church mentioned in an announcement Friday. “Our church continues to hope for our pastor and his household throughout this time.”
Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Comply with Leonard Blair on Twitter: @lebloir Comply with Leonard Blair on Fb: LeoBlairChristianPost
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