Motorist Charged With Habitual Impaired Driving And Child Abuse

SMITHFIELD – A 33 year-old Johnston County man was arrested on numerous charges including habitual impaired driving.

Quentin Terrell Benjamin of Cypress Court, Selma was arrested July 9 around 8:35 p.m. during a traffic stop in the 1100 block of N. Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, a patrol deputy spotted a 2007 Lexus SUV operating without any headlights and the driver not wearing his seat belt.

The officer stopped the vehicle and upon approaching the SUV immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol, the JCSO said.

The deputy noticed three young children in the SUV, ages 5, 6, and 10, not properly restrained. The relationship of the children to the driver was not disclosed.

Benjamin was arrested and later registered 0.19 on the Breathalyzer, more than double the legal limit of 0.08.

He had two prior drunk driving convictions in Johnston County in January and April 2018.

Benjamin was charged with habitual driving while impaired, driving on a revoked license impairment revocation, three counts of misdemeanor child abuse, failure to burn headlights, and failure to wear a seat belt.

His vehicle was seized pending the outcome of the court case.

Benjamin was confined in the Johnston County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.