News Summary
State Senator Norman Sanderson from North Carolina has been charged with driving while impaired after his arrest in Raleigh. Sanderson, who had a blood alcohol content of .16, also faces additional charges including failure to obey a traffic officer and transporting an open container of alcohol. Following his booking and a $2,000 bond payment, he was released. In a public statement, he expressed remorse for the incident and acknowledged it as a regrettable mistake. A court date is set for November 7.
Raleigh, North Carolina — State Senator Norman Sanderson Charged with Driving While Impaired
North Carolina Senator Norman Sanderson, 74, has been formally charged with driving while impaired (DWI) following an arrest in Raleigh, according to law enforcement officials.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred on Saturday evening at approximately 9 p.m. near the intersection of Edwards Mill Road and Trinity Road. Law enforcement officers arrested Sanderson after observing suspicious behavior, leading to a traffic stop. A subsequent breath test indicated a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .16, which is twice the legal limit for drivers in North Carolina.
Additional Charges
Along with the DWI charge, Sanderson faces several misdemeanor counts. These include failure to obey a traffic officer and transporting an open container of alcohol. These charges stem from the circumstances of his arrest and are classified as misdemeanors under North Carolina law.
Legal Proceedings and Bond
Following his arrest, Sanderson was booked into Wake County Detention Center. He posted $2,000 bond and was released at 10:42 p.m. the same day. A court date to address the charges has been set for November 7 in Wake County.
Statements and Reactions
In a public statement, Sanderson acknowledged the incident as a “regrettable mistake”. He offered apologies to his constituents, colleagues, and family for the incident. Sanderson also expressed appreciation for the professionalism demonstrated by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office personnel who responded during the arrest.
About Norman Sanderson
Senator Sanderson is a Republican representing eight counties, including Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren, and Washington. His political career includes serving as a state senator for North Carolina, representing his district in the state legislature.
Past Record and Legal History
Sanderson has a history of prior citations, including unsafe tires, a federal vehicle inspection violation, and a motor vehicle log book violation in 2010. These past incidents reflect previous issues related to vehicle safety and compliance but are unrelated to his current DWI charge.
Summary
This case marks a serious legal matter for the North Carolina senator, highlighting the consequences of impaired driving. The upcoming court date will determine the legal outcome of the charges brought against Sanderson, who has publicly expressed remorse for his recent actions. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about impaired driving laws and enforcement in North Carolina.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Carolina Senator Norman Sanderson Arrested for DWI
North Carolina State Senator Norman Sanderson Charged with DWI
Additional Resources
- CBS 17
- WRAL
- ABC11
- News Observer
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- WCNC
- WFMY News 2
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drunken Driving
- Google Search: North Carolina DWI laws
- Google News: Norman Sanderson DWI
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
