Traffic Stop Leads to Death Investigation

On January 6, 2024 at approximately 10:30pm, Burke County Emergency Communications Center received a call about an impaired driver in the city limits of Morganton. Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the area of West Fleming Drive near South Sterling Street and located the vehicle in question. Officers conducted a vehicle stop and units pulled into the parking area of 250 West Fleming Drive. Officers made contact with the operator to begin the DWI investigation. The driver then retrieved a firearm from inside of the vehicle and proceeded to discharge it toward himself resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers immediately called for EMS to respond to the scene. The driver was transported to a local health care facility where he succumbed to his injuries. The name of the driver is being withheld pending notification of family. This case is still actively under investigation.