State troopers are looking for the driver who intentionally drove a pickup truck through a field of wildflowers along Interstate 40 at the exit for Lake James.
The State Highway Patrol reported that the destruction of the sunflowers in western Burke County was not an accident.
The Lake James exit sees heavy vehicle traffic during the summer months.
"It makes me sad," said Cindy Helton as she looked at the damage near Exit 94.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation filed a state property incident report with the SBI.
State officials maintain the wildflower beds along state roadways as part of a long-running roadside program.
Emily Corn loves flowers and taking photos of the state's wildflower program.
The North Carolina Wildflower Program was established in 1985 as a statewide beautification project. The program is funded through the sale of personalized license plates and direct contributions to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
"It was very heartbreaking," Corn said. "It was very, very devastating, and I really hope he hurts and regrets what he did."
In addition to highway aesthetics, state officials say the wildflowers serve a vital ecological function. The fields provide a source of nectar for pollination supporting bees, butterflies and moths.
Graham Bishop, who lives in Burke County, stopped by on Wednesday.
"It's someone messing up something beautiful," Bishop said. "I don't understand it myself. A lot of people stop by to enjoy as they come by too. "
The state's budget for the wildflower program for Burke and six counties is $70,000.
