The driver of any vehicle who knows or reasonably should know that (i) animal waste, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-215.10B, except for livestock or poultry excreta generated by live animals being transported on the vehicle, (ii) dead animals or animal parts except for feathers from live birds being transported on the vehicle, or (iii) animal by-products have been blown, scattered, spilled, thrown, or placed from the vehicle shall immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the incident. The driver shall remain with the vehicle at the scene of the incident until a law enforcement officer completes the investigation of the incident or authorizes the driver to leave and the vehicle to be removed, unless remaining at the scene places the driver or others at significant risk of injury.

Prior to the completion of the investigation of the incident by a law enforcement officer, or the consent of the officer to leave, the driver may not facilitate, allow, or agree to the removal of the vehicle from the scene for any purpose other than to call for a law enforcement officer; to call for assistance in removing the materials that were blown, scattered, thrown, spilled, or placed from the vehicle; or to remove oneself or others from significant risk of injury. If the driver does leave for a reason permitted by this section, then the driver must return with the vehicle to the scene of the incident within a reasonable period of time, unless otherwise instructed by a law enforcement officer. A willful violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 3 misdemeanor, and the court may order restitution for the cost of removing the materials that were blown, scattered, thrown, spilled, or placed from the vehicle. (2023-63, s. 4.1(a).)