Driver charged with DWI while riding a lawnmower, North Carolina police say

An investigation into reckless driving took an unexpected turn when police discovered their suspect was driving a lawnmower, according to investigators in western North Carolina.

The odd arrest happened just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Morganton, which is about a 75-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

“Officers observed a lawnmower being operated on East Union Street near East Fleming Drive following reports of reckless driving on U.S. 70,” police said in a Nov. 20 news release.

“Officers conducted a traffic stop on the lawnmower. ... (The driver) was determined to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance.”

Investigators didn’t say how far the 38-year-old man had driven on his mower, but he lives in Valdese, nearly 8 miles east of Morganton.

The driver was charged with driving while impaired, driving with no liability insurance, failure to display registration plate and a brake/stop light equipment violation, police said.

This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Driver charged with DWI while riding a lawnmower, North Carolina police say."