Creedmoor Mayor Antwane Downey is facing a DWI charge after
crashing his Volvo SUV on Monday.
Downey hit a ditch and a tree on U.S. 15 near State Road.
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“Tell Creedmoor that I still love them,” Downey said. “This is a slight mishap and I’m doing everything that I can to take the necessary steps to get better."
Troopers say Downey's blood draw results for alcohol are pending.
In addition to his work as mayor, Downey works at the First Baptist Church Academy in Creedmoor as an after-school program driver. He has been placed on administrative leave.
The Academy released a statement saying in part:
All FBC Academy employees undergo standard background checks, and our driver receive additional screening through our insurance provider. When Mr. Downey was hired in 2024, he went through all of these processes, and there have been no incidents jeopardizing the safety of out students.
WRAL News found Downey has been convicted of DWI four times, the latest in 2019. Downey was required to get a substance abuse assessment and possible monitoring or treatment as part of those convictions.
There is a long list of other charges against him spanning two decades that have been disposed. It includes reckless driving, driving with an open container and driving while his license is revoked.
WRAL News asked Downey: Should he have run for mayor with this level of criminal history? He declined to answer questions.
Creedmoor Mayor Pro Tem Archer Wilkins addressed the crash during Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
“The city is aware of an incident involving Mayor Downey which occurred [Monday] night,” Wilkins said. “I ask that you pray for the health of our mayor this evening as he continues to recover from his injuries.”
WRAL News also reached out to the city's Board of Commissioners to discuss the charges against Downey and his criminal history.
WRAL News received a statement from the city saying it will not comment on the details of the incident and city operations will continue as normal.
How to check someone’s background in North Carolina
Criminal records and court proceedings are public record in North Carolina (and across the United States). You can find the record for any individual, but you have to know where and how to look.
To check up on someone, contact the clerk of court in the county where that person lives. A $25 fee is required.
Visit the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s website and click on the General Public link. Scroll down to Additional Resources to find links to Obtaining Court Records and to Request a Public Record.
People performing criminal background checks should use the county clerk’s office to do so.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety maintains information about people who are serving or have served state prison sentences and those who are, or have been, on parole. Visit the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s website to access the public offender search. People will need to provide someone’s full name, address and other kinds of info in their search.
The North Carolina State Sex Offender maintains information about registered sex offenders. Visit the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry, which is on the NC State Bureau of Investigation’s website.
The U.S. Department of Justice also maintains a National Sex Offender website.