Faith man convicted by a jury of fleeing to elude arrest, other offenses

Published 12:00 am Saturday, November 17, 2018

SALISBURY — Daniel Earl Keith of Faith was convicted by a jury this week in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony fleeing to elude arrest, misdemeanor driving while license revoked, and possession of an open container.

After the jury’s guilty verdict, Judge Eric Levinson sentenced the 37-year-old to a minimum of 11 months to a maximum of 23 months in prison.

Officials said on or about May 3, a deputy with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was traveling on Castor Road and noticed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. As the deputy accelerated, the other vehicle, driven by Daniel Keith, did the same. When Keith’s vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign, the deputy activated his lights and siren.

Keith’s vehicle did not stop and his speed was as high as 80 mph on Balfour Quarry Road when he almost hit another officer’s vehicle. Keith finally stopped his vehicle at Gantt and Main streets in Faith. He told the deputy he fled because his license was revoked. The deputy noticed an open bottle of vodka on the passenger’s seat.

Keith had previously been convicted of felony sale of cocaine, driving while impaired, among other offenses.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the work of Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould in the trial of the case and the thorough investigation conducted by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Keith gave notice of an appeal.