A Valdese man was charged with DWI while driving a lawnmower in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ on Wednesday.

Norton

Zachary Norton, 38, is charged with driving while impaired, no liability insurance, failure to display registration plate and a brake light equipment violation, the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Department of Public Safety said in a news release.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ police officers saw a lawnmower driving along East Union Street near East Fleming Drive shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Department of Public Safety had received reports prior to the sighting of a lawnmower being driven recklessly on U.S. Highway 70, the department said.

The officer pulled the lawnmower over and identified the driver as Norton. ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Department of Public Safety said Norton appeared to be under the influence of an impairing substance at the time.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Department of Public Safety said this is Norton’s second DWI offense. The previous charge occurred on July 4, 2024.

Norton is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sarah Johnson is a digital news reporter for the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ News Herald.