CLAYTON – A Johnston County state trooper risked his own life to stop a wrong-way driver speeding down a busy highway.
State Trooper D.K. Douglas was one of several officers attempting to locate a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of US 70, around 2:40am Saturday, October 12.
The Highway Patrol communications center had received several calls from other drivers reporting the wrong-way vehicle.
Trooper Douglas spotting the vehicle on US 70 near Clayton. The driver failed to respond to his flashing blue lights and siren.
Fearing an innocent motorist was about to be hit, Trooper Douglas performed a PIT maneuver stopping the wrong-way driver.
Osait Alejandro Reyes, age 26, was charged with driving while impaired. Authorities said Reyes registered 0.16 on the breathalyzer, double the legal limit of 0.08.
The patrol car sustained minor damage.
There were no injuries.
Great job to the NCSHP! Your agency employees nothing but the most professional troopers… Never lowering standards….