North Carolina officials temporarily suspended the state auditor’s vehicle assignment this week after she was cited for misdemeanor hit-and-run for leaving the scene of an accident in December where she drove her state vehicle into a parked car.
The state’s director of motor fleet management notified state auditor Beth Wood Tuesday that its vehicle allocation for a 2021 Toyota Camry was temporarily on hold amid the ongoing investigation, Julia Hegele, a spokeswoman for the Department of Administration, said. in an email on Friday. There is no indication how long the suspension will last.
After the charges against her became public last week, Wood issued an apology statement Monday, explaining that the collision occurred shortly after she left a holiday gathering in Raleigh on the evening of December 8.
Calling the accident a “serious mistake,” Wood, 68, said he left the scene without informing police or the car owner when he was unable to move his vehicle. Photos and 911 calls reported by other news outlets show that part of her car was on top of the parked vehicle. No one was injured in the crash.
NC DEMOCRAT CALLS HIT-AND-RUN ON STATE-PROVIDED VEHICLE A ‘SERIOUS MISTAKE,’ REFUSES TO GIVE UP
The state of North Carolina suspended Auditor Wood’s vehicle allocation after her car accident in December.
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Raleigh police cited her four days later on misdemeanor hit-and-run and another traffic-related charge. Towing and repairing Wood’s vehicle cost the state nearly $8,000, Hegele said.
An attorney appeared on his behalf Thursday in Wake County court. The judge set her next court date for March 23.
Someone with no prior criminal record would not face active jail time for a misdemeanor hit and run, but could face probation. An unsafe movement count can be penalized with a fine. Wood said Monday that he continued to cooperate with law enforcement.
As one of 10 members of the North Carolina State Council, a panel of elected executive officers, the state auditor conducts financial reviews of state agencies, performance audits, and other studies requested by the General Assembly.
Wood, a Democrat who was first elected to her post in 2008, said she would continue in her job despite calls from the state Republican Party to resign. Her position will next appear on the ballot in 2024.
