Car was still in drive as unconscious motorist sat in road with baby, NC cops say

A father is facing child abuse accusations after being found passed out in traffic with his infant son in the back seat of the car, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

The unusual discovery was made when deputies saw a vehicle “not moving” at an intersection around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said.

“Deputies got out with the vehicle and found (a man) unconscious behind the wheel with the vehicle still in drive,” the sheriff’s office said in a Feb. 25 news release.

“Deputies administered aid ... and placed the vehicle in park, ultimately leading to (the driver) regaining consciousness.”

A search of the vehicle revealed the man’s 7-month-old son “in the backseat of the vehicle in a car seat,” officials said.

Deputies also found fentanyl, and an arrest warrant accuses the driver of being “under the influence” as he drove that night.

The 28-year-old driver was arrested and charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and child abuse, the sheriff’s office said. He lives in Pleasant Hill, records show.

The infant was checked out by Halifax County EMS then “released to a responsible family member,” officials said.

Roanoake Rapids is about an 90-mile drive northeast from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 2:14 PM with the headline "Car was still in drive as unconscious motorist sat in road with baby, NC cops say."