Impaired Driver Crashes While Fleeing Traffic Stop

On June 20, 2026, deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Crash Reduction Team (CRT) were conducting speed enforcement on U.S. Highway 70 near Barwick Station Road when a vehicle was observed traveling 80 mph in a posted 55 mph zone.

When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver failed to stop and fled westbound on U.S. Highway 70. As the vehicle approached Monks Furniture, the driver attempted to negotiate a turn at a high rate of speed, lost control, traveled into a ditch, struck a culvert, and overturned.

Deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office A Shift and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to assist. The driver, identified as Blaine Allen Burke, 20, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident.

During the investigation, deputies observed signs of impairment and conducted a DWI investigation. Burke admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving and later provided breath samples resulting in an alcohol concentration of 0.12. Because Burke was under the age of 21, additional alcohol-related charges were obtained.

Burke was charged with:

• Driving While Impaired
• Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle
• Reckless Driving
• Failure to Wear Seat Belt
• Drive After Consuming While Under 21
• Consume Alcohol by 19/20-Year-Old
• Speeding
• Failure to Maintain Lane Control

Burke was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.