Impaired Driver Arrested Following Pursuit on U.S. 70

On September 30, 2026, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reduction Team (CRT) was conducting patrol on U.S. Highway 70 when deputies were alerted by a private citizen to a vehicle traveling eastbound into Lenoir County. The citizen reported that the vehicle was being driven recklessly and that the driver appeared to be impaired.

A CRT deputy located the vehicle traveling approximately 20 MPH in a posted 55 MPH zone and observed the driver repeatedly fail to maintain lane control. While attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the driver failed to stop and continued eastbound on U.S. 70.

During the pursuit, the vehicle repeatedly traveled outside its lane and off the roadway, entered the median on numerous occasions, and nearly struck other motorists. Kinston Police Department officers successfully deployed stop sticks near the city limits. The vehicle came to a stop a short distance later near Royal Farms.

The driver was identified as Karen Seymour Strickland, 57, of Seven Springs, North Carolina. Strickland was taken into custody and transported to the Lenoir County Jail.

The following charges were obtained as a result of the investigation:

• Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle

• Driving While Impaired

• Inhaling Toxic Vapors

• Reckless Driving to Endanger

• Failure to Heed Emergency Lights or Siren

Strickland received a secured bond on the charges.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the private citizen who took the time to report the suspected impaired and reckless driver. That citizen’s actions may have helped prevent a serious crash and potentially saved several lives traveling on U.S. 70.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kinston Police Department and Lenoir County EMS during the investigation.