CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A suspected drunk driver is facing charges after investigators said he was driving the wrong way and swerved at a state trooper who tried to stop him early Sunday morning.
State troopers responded to multiple calls about a driver going the wrong way on U.S. 321 south of Hickory a little before 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Multiple callers said the driver of a white truck was going south in the northbound lanes and was intentionally swerving into oncoming traffic. Callers also told emergency dispatchers that the driver hit multiple vehicles near River Road.
A trooper caught up to the truck near the Lincoln County line, about 15 miles south of Hickory. When the trooper attempted to stop the suspect, he allegedly swerved at the trooper and sped by. The trooper then followed the suspect and performed a PIT maneuver to stop him. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Ricardo Padilla-Perez, was arrested without further incident. Neither Padilla-Perez nor the suspect were hurt during the incident. Troopers said that the drivers of the other vehicles hit by the suspect were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Padilla-Perez was charged with two counts of felony hit-and-run, DWI, careless and reckless driving and no driver's license. He was taken to the Catawba County jail and was given a $4,000 bond.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.