DWI Stop In Smithfield Leads To Child Abuse Charge

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Kenly man faces multiple charges after police say he was driving while impaired with a child in his vehicle.

Austin Layne Wheeler, 27, of Junior Road, was arrested by Smithfield Police following a traffic stop on May 3.

According to authorities, officers stopped a 2011 Nissan pickup around 6:07 p.m. on Brightleaf Boulevard near the Selma city limits. During the stop, police determined a small child was inside the vehicle.

Wheeler later registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11, above North Carolina’s legal limit of 0.08, according to police.

He was charged with driving while impaired, misdemeanor child abuse, and possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area.

The child was released to a relative.

Wheeler was taken to the Johnston County Detention Center and later released on a $2,000 bond.