Woman crashes into Piggly Wiggly with baby in front seat, faces 15 charges [PHOTO]
Woman Crashes Into Kinston Piggly Wiggly With Baby Inside, Faces 15 Charges
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a chaotic and dangerous scene unfolded in Kinston, North Carolina. That’s when a woman crashed her SUV into the front of a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, injuring a child, damaging property, and fleeing the scene with an unrestrained 10-month-old in the vehicle. The woman, identified as Stephanie Marie Morales, 39, of Kinston. She was later arrested after a police pursuit and now faces 15 criminal charges. She has been denied bond.
For those in the store, their afternoon was as simple as a trip to the grocery store. However, Morales turned this into a dangerous shopping experience. Not only did this incident draw customers to see what was going on, but it brought in other spectators. Of course, customers and employees alike were scrambling to get out of the way, when they saw an SUV crashing through the store’s entrance.
What Happened at the Scene
At approximately 4:45 p.m., Morales drove her small black SUV into the main entrance of the Piggly Wiggly located at 2240 U.S. 258, slamming through the glass doors and causing extensive structural damage.
The impact sent debris flying inside the store, startling shoppers and injuring a 7-year-old girl, who sustained minor injuries and is expected to recover. Morales then fled the scene before first responders arrived.
According to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Morales attempted to evade law enforcement and was located several minutes later near the AutoZone on U.S. 70, just outside the Walmart in Kinston. It was there that Sheriff Jackie Rogers personally intercepted her vehicle and placed her under arrest.
Children Caught in the Chaos
The most alarming detail in this case may be what authorities found inside Morales’ vehicle: a 10-month-old child in the front passenger seat, unrestrained. The child was not secured in a car seat, a violation of both state law and basic safety standards. Officials described the situation as a “clear and unacceptable endangerment of life.”
Inside the grocery store, the 7-year-old girl who was struck by flying debris was treated for minor injuries at the scene. There was relief that the child’s injuries were not more severe. Thus, there was anger at the woman for putting lives at risk, including children.
Both children survived, but the incident sparked widespread concern about child safety violations. Additionally, it played a central role in the decision to deny Morales bond. Now, this woman has caught the ire of millions.
What the Photos Show
Photographs taken by Jaime McCutcheon Minges and released by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office depict a scene of disarray and destruction.
- The Piggly Wiggly’s front entrance was completely shattered, with glass doors broken, metal frames twisted, and store displays toppled.
- Inside, check-out counters were littered with debris, and store employees and officers can be seen navigating the damage.
- Another photo shows Morales’ mugshot, with her expression appearing dazed and fatigued.
The images helped solidify the case’s public impact. Therefore, adding visual weight to the reports of property damage, injury, and child endangerment.
Full List of Criminal Charges
The list of charges filed against Morales reflects the broad scope of alleged offenses:
Initial Charges:
- Driving while impaired
- Injury to real property
- Misdemeanor child abuse
- Reckless driving
- Hit and run (property damage and injury)
- Failure to decrease speed to avoid accident
- Driving while license revoked
- No liability insurance
- Expired registration
- Inspection violation
- Child not in rear seat
Later Added Charges (per updated reports):
- Child endangerment
- Injury to personal property
- Failure to report an accident with injury
- Additional failure to reduce speed citation
In total, Morales faces 15 distinct charges, some of which carry the potential for jail time, license revocation, and long-term probation if convicted.
Law Enforcement: “Swift Response, Serious Charges”
The arrest of Morales came swiftly, thanks to coordination between the Kinston Police Department and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, with Sheriff Rogers actively involved in the apprehension.
In an official statement, KPD Chief Keith Goyette said:
“We’re grateful for the swift assistance and partnership of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office in this case. Their support was instrumental in bringing clarity and accountability to this incident. Working together, we continue to prioritize public safety in our community.”
Law enforcement emphasized that the presence of children, combined with attempting to flee and impairment, elevated the seriousness of the situation.
No Bond Set
Morales was booked into custody and, according to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, was not granted bond. This decision often indicates that the court views the suspect as either a flight risk or a danger to the public.
Given the multiple charges related to child safety, substance impairment, and fleeing the scene of a crash, the denial of bond aligns with North Carolina’s guidelines for detaining individuals facing felony or multi-offense cases.
Location & Timing Contributed to Chaos
The crash occurred during a busy weekday afternoon at a heavily trafficked grocery store—factors that increased both the danger and the visibility of the event.
The Piggly Wiggly on U.S. 258 serves a dense local area, and the parking lot is shared by several other retailers. Witnesses described a chaotic moment as customers scrambled to avoid the incoming vehicle.
One shopper told WRAL, “People were just screaming and jumping out of the way. It was like a movie scene.”
Unlike the movies, this was real life. As a result, there were real life implications behind this. In fact, they’re still playing out.
What’s Next for Morales?
As of May 10, no trial date has been announced, and Morales remains in custody. Her case is expected to proceed in Lenoir County District Court, where bond conditions, legal representation, and trial dates will be established.
The crash at the Kinston Piggly Wiggly is a reminder of how quickly reckless behavior behind the wheel can put entire communities at risk. Between the property destruction, endangered children, and attempted flight, Morales’ case has become a local flashpoint for conversations about impaired driving, child safety, and public accountability.
Fortunately, both children involved survived the incident. But the outcome could have been far worse.
With the legal process underway, the community waits to see how justice will unfold—and whether the event sparks any long-term changes around traffic enforcement or child passenger safety laws.