Driver in crash involving NC House Speaker charged with DWI

RALEIGH

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the Thursday car crash involving House Speaker Tim Moore, and charged the man with driving while impaired, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman confirmed.

James Matthew Brogden, 38, of Goldsboro faces a misdemeanor DWI charge in the incident, among other charges, according to online court records. He was released on an unsecured bond, and is scheduled to appear in Wake County court on March 17 at 2 p.m.

Moore was returning to Raleigh Thursday night with fellow Republican state Rep. David Willis, when Brogden allegedly struck their vehicle.

Moore said he didn’t believe he and Willis were targeted.

In an interview with The N&O, Moore said the other driver struck the unmarked Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle he and Willis were in at least three times.

“Imagine this: We’re on Highway 64 coming in, at decent highway speeds, when a car — bam! — comes up behind us and hits us once,” Moore said. “I was like, ‘What the hell is that? Bam, hits us again, bam, hits us a third time.”

A General Assembly police officer and retired state trooper was driving the police SUV, Moore said. The officer driving Moore and Willis followed the driver of the other car for about six or seven miles before the driver slowed down, and was subsequently arrested, according to Moore.

Driver charged with DWI, hit and run

The incident took place Thursday night on Interstate 87, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol, which is also U.S. Highway 64, when Brogden, who was driving a 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck, allegedly struck the Tahoe Moore and Willis were in from behind, several times. Dan Gurley, Moore’s deputy chief of staff, was also traveling with Moore in the car, the Highway Patrol said.

General Assembly police officer Jason Perdue, who was driving the Tahoe, turned on the vehicle’s emergency lights to signal Brogden to pull over, said 1st Sgt. Christopher Knox, a spokesperson for the Highway Patrol.

Brogden didn’t stop at first and kept driving, but later stopped near mile marker 9 in Wake County, Knox said. State troopers responded to the incident around 9:43 p.m., he said.

A preliminary investigation “indicated that impairment was a factor with regard to Mr. Brogden,” Knox said.

Brogden was taken to a hospital for evaluation, Knox said, and was subsequently booked at the Wake County Detention Center on misdemeanor charges for speeding to elude arrest; failing to heed blue lights and siren; hit and run; driving while impaired; failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision; resisting a public officer; and damage to property.

Gov. Cooper, fellow lawmakers react

Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday morning he told Moore he was glad “no one was hurt in this alarming incident and that law enforcement caught the suspect.”

Moore told him he “looked forward to a less eventful ride home today,” Cooper said on Twitter.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said he and his wife were praying for Moore and Willis, and said he was “thankful” that no one was harmed in the incident.

In a statement, Senate leader Phil Berger said he was “incredibly thankful” that Moore, Willis and the security personnel with them were unharmed. He called the incident “disturbing.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis also said he was glad Moore and Willis weren’t injured, and thanked law enforcement officers “for their quick action to stop the perpetrator.”

Earlier, on Thursday night, Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Moore, confirmed that no one in the vehicle was hurt during the incident, which was first reported by Axios Raleigh.

Both General Assembly police and the State Highway Patrol responded, Dowdy said, and “the circumstances are under investigation.”

Moore, who represents Cleveland and Rutherford counties, is serving his 11th term in the House and was recently elected to a record fifth term as speaker.

Willis is currently serving his second term and represents Union County.

This story was originally printed February 24, 2023, 12:23 AM.