Impared Driver Crashes Through N.C. Bridge Railing

Nov. 17--PINK HILL -- A man traveling west along Ash Davis Road near Earl Howard Road in Pink Hill drove through a guard railing over a ravine at high speed.

The incident happened around 5:50 p.m. Thursday.

"It was determined this was an intentional act," Trooper J.D. Noble of the N.C. Highway Patrol said.

Carlos Toppin, 32, of 2241 Ash Davis Road, Pink Hill, left his house and drove off the right side of the road just a mile from there, the trooper said.

Noble said a witness was driving along Ash Davis Road when Toppin suddenly pulled out of his driveway, causing the witness to slam on his brakes.

"(Toppin) took off like a rocket," Noble said the witness told him.

When he got to the bridge, he drove off the right side of the road.

"(Toppin) actually rode the bridge railing," Noble said. "He never hit the water, thank God."

When the car turned over, Toppin was ejected and was initially thought to have been pinned under the car in the ravine.

Noble said the driver was not pinned, but was found to have been driving while impaired.

Lenoir County paramedics, volunteer fire department rescue crews and law enforcement responded to the scene.

A helicopter transported Toppin from the area to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

Noble said Toppin didn't appear to have major injuries and was could have been released on Friday, but had told the trooper he wanted to end his life.

Damages to the bridge are estimated to be about $2,500. The N.C. Department of Transportation closed the bridge temporarily on Friday to make the repairs.

Charges are pending against Toppin.

Wes Wolfe contributed to this story. Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 and [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.

Copyright 2013 - The Free Press, Kinston, N.C.