Two men face multiple felony charges following a car chase that started slowly and picked up to speeds of 70 mph.

During a search of the vehicle, 1 ounce of marijuana, plastic bags, scales, heroin, methamphetamine, suboxone and $1,311 cash were found.

On Thursday morning before dawn, Rowan County Sheriff’s Deputy T.A. Boswell  noticed a white Mercedes sitting in the median of Barringer Road at Highway 70. It was occupied by two black males, and both appeared to be passed out in the vehicle.

Boswell tried to make contact with the occupants but they drove off. Boswell tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop.

The deputy told communications he was in a low speed pursuit with the vehicle. There were several times when the vehicle actually stopped during the pursuit, but then would drive off again.

The Mercedes traveled down Barringer Road toward Sherrill’s Ford Road. Once it came to the roundabout, it turned right onto Sherrill’s Ford Road. heading toward Iredell County.

Master Deputy W.E. Marsh joined the chase at that point as the second car. The chase continued on Sherrill’s Ford Road, reaching speeds of 70 mph.

Deputy Dixon was at Hurley School Road with stop sticks. Dixon deployed the sticks, deflating three of the four tires on the vehicle. The vehicle left the road at the intersection of Sherrill’s Ford at Hurley School Road and stopped in the yard of the residence on the corner. Both subjects were taken into custody without further incident.

The driver, Nathaniel Lamuel Setzer, 34, of Bringle Ferry Road, Richfield, was charged with DWI, felony speeding to elude, felony possession of heroin, felony possession of methamphetamines, felony possession of schedule III (suboxone), misdemeanor possession of schedule IV, misdemeanor possession of schedule VI, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver, as well numerous driving charges.

The passenger, Zadrian Jaquae Smith, 18 of 1221 Kenly St,, was charged with felony possession of schedule VI, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule VI, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

The passenger, Smith, was given a $3,500 bond and the driver, Setzer, was placed under a $50,000 bond. 

The vehicle was registered to Kelli Marie Norman of St. Mathews Church Road. It was towed by Crawford’s Garage.