The driver of an SUV who was seriously injured in a crash on a rural Johnston County roadway last week has now been charged with driving while impaired.
On January 2nd, state troopers said Leonardo Cruz Ponce, 56, of Zebulon was traveling southbound on County Line Road off Highway 39 near the Wake County line when his 2005 Chevy crossed the centerline and ran off the roadway in a curve, struck a small ditch and overturned several times on the side of the roadway.
Ponce had to be extricated from his SUV before being rushed to Wake Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.
According to the Highway Patrol, Ponce was speeding at the time of the crash and not wearing a seat belt.
Trooper J.D. Perdue has now charged Ponce with driving while impaired, driving without a license, failure to maintain lane control and a seat belt violation.
