DRIVER FACES DWI CHARGE


Chris Moss' pickup truck overturned after he lost control on Ishmael Beam Road late Tuesday night. Photos by Elizabeth Mayhew/TCS

By Jon Mayhew (HOWARDS CREEK) -- A Cherryville man is charged with driving while impaired after wrecking his pickup truck in western Lincoln County Tuesday night.

Around 8:15pm, Howards Creek firefighters, Lincoln Rescue and Lincoln EMS were called to the 3000 block of Ishmael Beam Road. Radio traffic indicated the driver of the Chevy pickup had left the scene.

North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper J.M. Futrell found 41-year-old Chris Moss, 2930 Fish Pond Lane, Cherryville, getting into a friend’s vehicle near Fish Pond Lane. Futrell conducted a traffic stop and took the suspect into custody.

At the scene, Futrell found an undisclosed amount of cash on Moss. Moss was being uncooperative with Futrell and the investigation, even refusing a breathelyzer test.

Moss became belligerent at the Lincoln County Magistrate’s Office when he discovered The Carolina Scoop’s cameras.

Chris Moss (left) is led into the Lincoln County Magistrate's Office by NCHP Trooper J.M. Futrell (right).

“Can’t they turn those damn cameras off,” asked Moss. “Tell them not to take my picture. The media needs to find something better to do.”

Futrell said Moss’ pickup overturned after he lost control. Moss went into a curve too fast, traveled left of center, overcorrected and overturned. Moss wasn’t injured in the accident and was the only occupant of the vehicle.

“Alcohol and speed are factors in the accident,” said Futrell.

Futrell said late Tuesday night Moss was released to the custody of his father.

“He won’t be charged with hit and run because he only has liability insurance on the pickup,” said Futrell, adding damage estimates are around $1,000. “He was charged with DWI and careless, reckless driving.”