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SHERRILL'S FORD, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip is facing charges after a weekend traffic accident near his home in Sherill’s Ford.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol charged him with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Troopers said Waltrip was speeding when he lost control and hit a telephone pole, flipping his SUV. Investigators said Waltrip was the only one in the car and received a few scratches.

Highway Patrol said it did not give Waltrip a Breathalyzer test because too much time had passed between the accident and when investigators first interviewed him. The accident happened at 1:48 a.m. Saturday, but troopers were not able to get in touch with Waltrip until 8:30 that night, more than 18 hours after the accident.

A woman who arrived on the scene a few minutes after the accident and does not want to be identified, said Waltrip climbed out the windshield and was bleeding. She said she talked with him and then he started to walk home. She did not want to comment about his condition or reveal the statement that she told Highway Patrol officers on the scene.

Waltrip has said from the beginning that he fell asleep at the wheel and that he was thankful that he was not more seriously hurt.