GATESVILLE – A startling discovery was made shortly after a motor vehicle mishap occurred here Monday afternoon – the driver charged was allegedly wearing only a jacket.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol office in Ahoskie charged Ricky Eugene Lee, 49, of Eure with careless and reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to the NCHP report, the driver of a 1995 GMC pick-up truck noticed a white vehicle approaching quickly while near the U.S. Post Office on Court Street in Gatesville. As the driver of the GMC was attempting to maneuver out of the path of the white vehicle, it struck the GMC in the rear and then left the scene.

The driver of the GMC followed the suspect vehicle to the parking lot of a store, located nearby on NC 37. There, the driver of the white vehicle exited and was allegedly nude, according to the NCHP report (based on a statement made by the victim).

At that time, the white vehicle left the store, returning to NC 137 where it turned left heading towards Eure.

Apparently, the GMC driver notified local authorities and a Gates County deputy, after gaining a description of the suspect vehicle, performed a traffic stop on a white, 2007 Toyota Tacoma pick-up, operated by Lee, traveling on NC 137 west of Gatesville.

The NCHP report noted that at the time of the traffic stop, Lee’s only article of clothing was a jacket. The report also noted that Lee’s truck was damaged in the front end, and matched the rear end damage suffered by the GMC. That damage was estimated at $1,000.

Additionally, the NCHP report showed that alcohol was not a contributing factor in the accident. The report did reveal that Lee, “didn’t remember anything; he blanked out.”

The NCHP released Lee into the care of his family.