A warrant for felony child neglect-abuse resulting in serious injury has been filed against a Roanoke Rapids man who was involved in a May 10 crash, according to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
Since the initial investigation Chief Shane Guyant said this evening officers obtained further information to lodge the new charge against 32-year-old James Wayne Johnston.
The new charge stems from the injury of his infant child who was in the vehicle with him unsecured in the 5:30 a.m. single-vehicle crash.
Johnston was cited at the hospital and was released from treatment the same day, Guyant said. He had originally been cited based on the initial crash investigation.
He was initially cited for:
Expired registration plate
Driving while license revoked from being indefinitely suspended for failure to appear in 2023
Child restraint violation
Careless and reckless driving
Johnston has not been located since his release from the hospital and while the child was initially thought to be OK, there has been no word on whether the child’s condition has worsened.
Anyone with information on Johnston’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or via its website
The police department reported last week that Officer B. Holcomb responded to a single-vehicle crash on Old Farm Road near Downs Brook Drive.
Holcomb and emergency medical services personnel located Johnston rolling around on the ground.
Holcomb and Lieutenant M. Hunsucker began an investigation and determined Johnston had traveled off the roadway over 100 feet and collided head-on with a tree.
Officers also learned there was a related report from a witness traveling behind Johnston who said he was driving erratically across the roadway at a very high rate of speed prior to the collision.
Holcomb continued his investigation at ECU North and interviewed Johnston there.
With the information learned from the witness and subsequent body language and mannerisms Holcomb determined Johnston was impaired.
A search warrant was obtained for Johnston to assist in determining if he was impaired by something other than alcohol. Charges could be filed based on the results of the blood draw.
He has a May 22 district court date for misdemeanor injury to personal property and a June 14 district court date for the charges Holcomb initially filed, according to the state court calendar.
