MORGANTON, NC — A Juvenile Driver is facing charges following a vehicle crash involving a City of Morganton Patrol Car. The crash occurred just after 11pm Friday night in the intersection of East Union and North Green Streets near Marquee Cinemas. An investigation revealed the 17 year-old driver ran a red light and crashed into a Morganton Public Safety Officer, who was traveling through the intersection. EMS responded to the scene; however, there were no serious injuries sustained by the juvenile or officer.
In accordance with procedure, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to conduct the crash investigation. A subsequent investigation determined the juvenile driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
The juvenile was charged with the following offenses: No Operator’s License, Driving After Consuming While Under the Age of 21, Fictitious Registration Plate, Open Container After Consuming, Driving While Impaired, Consumption of Beer/Wine While Underage, Failure to Stop for a Steady Red Light, and No Insurance.
The juvenile was subsequently transported to the Alexander Juvenile Detention Center in Taylorsville.
Agencies responding to the incident included the Morganton Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and Burke County EMS.