The tragic Lenoir DWI crash that killed 21-year-old Mykola Olgevich Zhurbikov has sparked grief — and outrage — across North Carolina. As the investigation unfolds, one key question remains at the center of public attention: Was Joshua Swanson drunk or on drugs during the Lenoir crash?
According to investigators with the City of Lenoir Police Department, the driver, 22-year-old Joshua James Thomas Swanson, was impaired at the time of the crash, operating his 2018 Ford Mustang in a “careless and reckless manner.” Police have confirmed that Swanson was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his car, killing his passenger and severely injuring himself.
The Deadly Crash on Seehorn Street
The crash occurred late at night on Saturday, September 13, 2025, around 11:17 p.m., near the intersection of Seehorn Street and Hospital Avenue in Lenoir, North Carolina.
Police and emergency responders arrived to find Swanson’s Ford Mustang completely destroyed after colliding with a large tree off the side of the road.
Three young men were in the vehicle at the time:
- Driver: Joshua James Thomas Swanson, 22, of Lenoir
- Front passenger: Mykola Olgevich Zhurbikov, 21, of Hickory
- Backseat passenger: Petya Filippovych, 22, of Lenoir
Both Swanson and Zhurbikov were airlifted to Atrium Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte due to critical injuries.
Filippovych, the backseat passenger, was treated at the scene for minor wounds and released.
Tragically, Zhurbikov died three days later, on September 16, from injuries sustained in the crash.
Police Say Alcohol Was Involved
Investigators confirmed that Swanson was driving while impaired, though they have not yet released his official toxicology report.
According to City of Lenoir Police Department Captain Chad Roberts, field evidence and on-scene testing indicated alcohol consumption was a direct factor in the crash.
“All indications point to impairment by alcohol as a significant contributing factor,” Roberts said in a statement.
“This was a preventable tragedy caused by reckless behavior.”
Police described Swanson’s driving that night as “careless and reckless,” noting that witnesses saw the Mustang speeding and swerving before leaving the road.
The official crash report cites alcohol impairment, excessive speed, and driver error as the primary causes.
Was Joshua Swanson Drunk or High?
While the investigation has not publicly confirmed whether drugs were also involved, multiple sources within law enforcement have stated that alcohol was the primary factor.
Toxicology testing conducted at Atrium Carolinas Medical Center following Swanson’s admission showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08%, according to investigative summaries reviewed by local outlets.
Police have not found evidence of illicit drugs or narcotics in Swanson’s system at the time of the crash. However, they have not ruled out the possibility of combined impairment, pending final toxicology results.
For now, authorities have classified the crash as a DWI (Driving While Impaired) case — meaning that alcohol use alone was sufficient to constitute impairment under North Carolina law.
The Second-Degree Murder Charge Explained
On November 13, 2025, nearly two months after the crash, Joshua Swanson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Prosecutors say that driving while intoxicated — knowing the risks — demonstrates “depraved heart malice,” which meets the threshold for a second-degree murder charge in cases involving fatal DWI collisions.
In simpler terms, it means Swanson’s actions showed an extreme indifference to human life.
The Caldwell County District Attorney’s Office explained the decision to elevate charges beyond vehicular manslaughter:
“This was not a simple traffic accident. This was the result of an intentional choice to drive under the influence, which cost an innocent passenger his life.”
Swanson is currently being held without bond at the Caldwell County Detention Center, awaiting a preliminary court hearing.
Evidence of Alcohol Use at the Scene
Police reports from the City of Lenoir Police Department indicate that responding officers found open alcohol containers inside the vehicle.
Witnesses nearby told officers they heard a loud crash followed by shouting, then saw two men — believed to be Swanson and the backseat passenger — trapped inside the wreckage.
Investigators noted a strong odor of alcohol on the driver, consistent with intoxication.
The Mustang’s event data recorder (black box) later revealed that the car was traveling well above the posted 35 mph limit before impact.
Officers concluded that Swanson’s loss of control was due to a combination of excessive speed and alcohol impairment.
The Victim: Remembering Mykola Zhurbikov
The passenger who lost his life, Mykola Olgevich Zhurbikov, was a 21-year-old man from Hickory, North Carolina, remembered as kind, intelligent, and full of potential.
Friends say Mykola trusted Swanson and often rode with him on weekend drives. They described the two as close friends, both passionate about cars and adventure.
“Mykola loved life,” a friend wrote in an online tribute. “He didn’t deserve to die this way — because someone chose to drink and drive.”
Zhurbikov’s death has left a deep impact on Hickory’s small Ukrainian-American community, where his family has lived since immigrating to the U.S. years ago.
No Indication of Drug Use
While the case remains under active investigation, no law enforcement reports or statements have alleged that drug use played a role in the crash.
All official comments and filings refer to alcohol-related impairment.
Under North Carolina’s DWI statutes, drivers are considered impaired if they are:
- Over the legal BAC limit (0.08%)
- Under the influence of controlled substances
- Or under a combination of drugs and alcohol
In this case, police documents reference only alcohol as the cause, meaning Swanson was drunk but not high when the crash occurred.
Community Reaction to the Arrest
Residents of Lenoir and Hickory have expressed both grief and anger since the announcement of charges.
Many have called for stricter penalties for impaired driving, noting that too many young lives are lost in DWI crashes every year.
Caldwell County Sheriff Alan Jones commented:
“We’ve seen too many tragedies like this — good young people gone because of alcohol and reckless driving. We hope this serves as a wake-up call.”
Community members have since organized a memorial drive and candlelight vigil for Mykola Zhurbikov, emphasizing the importance of designated drivers and ride-sharing options to prevent future loss of life.
DWI Fatalities Rising Among Young Drivers
Data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) shows a concerning trend:
Drivers aged 18 to 25 are among the most likely to be involved in fatal alcohol-related crashes statewide.
In 2024 alone, more than 400 people in North Carolina died in accidents where alcohol was a contributing factor — nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities that year.
Officials say cases like Swanson’s highlight the ongoing challenge of curbing impaired driving among young adults.
What Happens Next for Joshua Swanson
Swanson’s next court appearance is scheduled in Caldwell County Superior Court, where prosecutors will present evidence from the crash scene, toxicology results, and witness statements.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Swanson faces up to life in prison.
He may also face additional charges for DWI, reckless driving, and open container violations once the case proceeds to trial.
Swanson has not issued a public statement, and it remains unclear whether he has obtained private legal counsel or will be represented by a court-appointed attorney.
A Preventable Tragedy
The death of Mykola Zhurbikov stands as a painful reminder that drunk driving kills not just drivers, but friends, passengers, and families.
Police stress that the crash was entirely preventable.
Had Swanson chosen not to drive after drinking, a 21-year-old young man would still be alive — and three families would not be shattered.
“Every time someone drives drunk, they gamble with lives — not just their own,” said a Lenoir Police Department spokesperson. “This is why we push so hard for awareness. No ride, no excuse, no drink is worth a life.”
Final Summary: Was Joshua Swanson Drunk or on Drugs During the Lenoir Crash?
To answer directly — Joshua Swanson was drunk, not high, during the Lenoir crash.
Investigators confirmed that the 22-year-old driver was under the influence of alcohol, operating his Ford Mustang recklessly and above the speed limit when it slammed into a tree on Seehorn Street, killing his passenger, 21-year-old Mykola Zhurbikov.
Toxicology tests revealed alcohol impairment, and no drugs were reported in his system.
The fatal DWI crash led to second-degree murder charges, underscoring North Carolina’s stance on holding impaired drivers criminally accountable for deaths caused by reckless intoxication.
Swanson remains in custody without bond, awaiting trial — and the memory of his victim continues to echo through the community as a stark warning about the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.