A Johnston County deputy sheriff was injured after being hit head on by a suspected drunk driver.
Lt. R.L. Reliford Jr. was on routine patrol on his marked Dodge patrol car at 2:40am Saturday on Rains Mill Road about 200 feet from the intersection of Highway 70 near Princeton. According to the NC Highway Patrol, a 2018 Ford passenger car driven by Ronald Eldridge Jackson, 69, of Maple Drive, Princeton turned from US 70 onto Rains Mill Road, struck a highway sign at the intersection, then crossed the centerline on Rains Mill Road striking the patrol car. Both vehicles came to rest partially in the roadway after the impact.
Lt. Reliford was transported to the hospital by another officer for treatment. His injuries were non-life threatening. Jackson was also transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Trooper D.K. Douglas charged Jackson with driving while impaired and reckless driving.
Jackson’s Ford sustained $3,000 in damage. The patrol car sustained an estimated $6,000 in damage, according to the crash report.
