DWI Suspect Hits Sheriff’s Deputy Head-On

SMITHFIELD – A Johnston County sheriff’s deputy and a suspected impaired driver were injured in a head-on collision Friday night near Smithfield.

Photo by John Payne

The collision was reported just after 11:00pm on NC Highway 210 near the Cleveland Road intersection.

Photo by John Payne

The impaired driving suspect, operating a silver Chevrolet Malibu, reportedly crossed the centerline, sideswiped a red SUV, then slammed head-on into a marked Johnston County Sheriff’s Office patrol car.

The driver of the Malibu was initially trapped in his vehicle but extricated by Smithfield Fire Department firefighters. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and ended up striking the windshield on the passenger side of his vehicle. He and the sheriff’s deputy both had minor injuries and were transported to area hospitals.

Photo by John Payne

According to authorities, the at-fault driver had a permanently suspended license from three prior driving while impaired convictions and was currently on probation for DWI in Wake County.

A woman driving the red SUV and her infant child were checked out at the scene by EMS personnel but were uninjured.

Photo by John Payne

The Highway Patrol said the suspect will be charged with driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, driving on a revoked license for a DWI conviction, no seat belt, no insurance, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Why in the heck is this person still able to go out and drive after having THREE prior dwi and being on probation for it. Who has to die for the court system to stop allowing these slaps on the wrist to keep being handed out.

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