RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – Nearly 200 cases have been dismissed after a state trooper in North Carolina made statements that appeared to have been “false and misleading,” officials said.

CBS affiliate WNCN said the trooper initially called into question was Garrett Lee Macario. The station reported that Lorrin Freeman, the Wake County District Attorney, began reviewing Macario’s credibility after he investigated a fatal crash in October.

“We received information the last week in December that there had been an accident, a one-car fatality on Capital Boulevard in October, in which the interaction of the trooper on scene had come into question,” Freeman said via WNCN.

Freeman said she then requested bodycam footage from the day of the crash. During a review, she said “there were statements that were made by that trooper that appear to be false and misleading.” From there, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launched an investigation.

WNCN said the state chose not to pursue pending cases that involved Macario, which led to the dismissal of about 180 cases. Freeman said the majority of those cases were related to DWI charges.

Freeman said one reason the cases were dismissed was because DWI investigations are “pretty much one-witness cases.”

During the review of Macario’s conduct, WNCN reported that the credibility of his supervisor, Sgt. Matthew Morrison, was also questioned.

“Without getting into the details of this investigation, there was information in the body cam and dash cam video that I reviewed that also gave rise to concerns about his credibility,” Freeman said of Morrison.

About a dozen cases that involved Morrison — but are separate from Macario’s — were being reviewed.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed to WNCN that both Macario and Morrison were placed on administrative duty, effective Jan. 10. Macario has been with the agency since February 2019, and Morrison since July 2012.

WNCN reported that neither trooper had been charged as of Jan. 24. In addition to the SBI investigation, the station said an administrative investigation by Highway Patrol was also likely.

Also Read: Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer arrested on Christmas Eve jailed again, records show

Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Po’Boigh King had 25 points in North Carolina Central’s 82-77 victory against South Carolina State on Saturday night.

King added six rebounds for the Eagles (10-12, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). Keishon Porter added 17 points while going 6 of 13 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line while he also had five rebounds. Perry Smith Jr. shot 7 of 10 from the field and 2 for 4 from the line to finish with 16 points.

Mitchel Taylor led the Bulldogs (9-11, 3-2) in scoring, finishing with 16 points and four assists. Drayton Jones added 13 points for South Carolina State. Davion Everett also put up 12 points.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Black History Month has officially kicked off in the Triangle.

The 24th annual African American Cultural Celebration was held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds had the opportunity to explore the issues, icons, arts, and more that are related to the total experience of black people in the state.

The event was the first time the celebration was held at the Natural Sciences Museum. There were several partnerships to help make this event a success – including students from Elizabeth City State University helping to document the event.

“We are used to having it in the Museum of History. It has a different feel. It is exciting too because it’s bringing together people to see African American culture and the natural sciences,” said NC African American Heritage Commission Chairperson Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson.

“It’s an awesome event. Coming from eastern North Carolina, sometimes we miss information. So, if you hear about it put it on your calendar. Bring your kids, it’s a great learning opportunity for them,” said Elizabeth City State University Assistant Professor Clarence Goss Jr.