This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Police in Charlotte say a drunk man stole an officer’s patrol car overnight and crashed it in the woods.

Authorities say the officer left his key in the ignition after exiting his cruiser to speak with some people about a fight at a local business.

Police say 22-year-old Kody Grayson jumped into the unlocked cruiser and sped off.

A short time later, the vehicle was found crashed in the woods, totaled.

Police later found Grayson 14 miles away. Paramedics were called to treat an injury he had from the crash.

Grayson is facing several charges, including larceny of motor vehicle and driving while impaired.

Police say the incident will be reviewed internally to determine if the officer followed protocol.

35.227087 -80.843127