By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man who was found unconscious inside his vehicle at a stoplight on Monday was issued a citation for child abuse.

A passerby saw children sitting in the backseat and called 911.

Salisbury police cited John Ross Gregory Jr., 31, with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse, misdemeanor reckless driving to endanger and misdemeanor impeding traffic.

The caller said they saw a silver vehicle in the 100 block of East Henderson Street at a stoplight and that the driver was “passed out,” said police spokesman Lt. Lee Walker.

When officers arrived and approached Gregory, his head was back against the headrest and he was unresponsive, Walker said. Rowan EMS were called to the scene, and they administered the overdose reversal drug Narcan.

Police said there was a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old in the backseat. The children were in child safety seats, Walker said.

The children’s mother arrived to the scene and the children were released into her custody. Rowan Social Services were called upon to investigate the incident, Walker said.