On August 29, 2021, the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle sitting in the lane closest to the I40 west bound off-ramp (Maple Ave., Burlington). The vehicle did not move once the light turned green so an officer approached the driver who appeared to be unconscious. Officers with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office and the Burlington Police Department attempted to wake the individual. Once awakened, the driver reversed the vehicle and started driving north on Maple Avenue at a high rate of speed.
Once the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office rounded the curve on Maple Avenue and S. Anthony Street, they found the suspect’s vehicle on fire. Unfortunately, the driver struck two residences (1008 Maple Avenue and 1004 Maple Avenue) before stopping in the northbound lanes on Maple Avenue. Law enforcement officers pulled the driver out of the vehicle and extinguished the fire. The driver was then transported to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. He was released and taken to the Alamance County Detention Center on September 1, 2021.
The driver, identified as Jaren Jamar Hopkins-Benton, was found to have 57 outstanding warrants from various law enforcement agencies including: Greensboro Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, Durham Police Department, Winston Salem Police Department, and the Fayetteville Police Department. The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office charged Mr. Hopkins-Benton as listed below:
JAREN JAMAR HOPKINS-BENTON
8321 HARRIS POND DRIVE, APTJ, CHARLOTTE NC 28269
B/M/27
ACSO Charges:
* One count of speeding in excess of 45 Mph (Felony)
* One count of fleeing to elude arrest (Felony)
* One count of reckless driving to endanger (Misdemeanor)
* One count of driving while license revoked (Misdemeanor)
* Two counts of injury to real property (Misdemeanor)
Bond: $112,500 Secured
This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
