WECT TV6 - WECT.com - Wilmington, NC news and weather - Car crashes into courthouse, man calmly walks away
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MORGANTON, NC (WBTV) - Authorities have charged a man after he purposely drove his car into the Burke County Courthouse early Friday morning and then calmly got out, smoked a cigarette and walked away.
The incident happened at 1 a.m. when a man drove his vehicle through the side door of the courthouse in Morganton. His car continued down a hallway and into the main lobby.
Surveillance video shows the car coming to a stop in the lobby, the driver cutting off the headlights, turning on the 4-way flashers of the car, getting out -- with a cigarette -- and then walking away. At one point, the driver seems to contemplate going in the main door.
Since the courtrooms are on the second floor, court proceedings were not affected Friday.
Authorities charged Herbert Bristol in connection with the incident, police said.
Morganton Police said they believe the suspect has an upcoming court date on a drunk driving charge.
Bristol is charged with damage to property, breaking and entering, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident.
He was given a $25,000 bond and is being held in the Burke County jail.
