Tragedy struck on a stretch of I-540 in Raleigh, as a fiery collision left one person dead and caused significant traffic disruptions during Thursday's evening commute. According to CBS17, at around 4:30 p.m., a Chevrolet S10 and a Subaru Forester were involved in an accident near Leesville Road and Glenwood Avenue. The impact was such that both vehicles veered off the road, descended an embankment, struck multiple trees, and caught fire.
As per the Raleigh Police Department's account, the Chevrolet, after swerving and overcorrecting following an attempted lane change by the Subaru, collided with the latter, leading to both vehicles going off-road and igniting upon impact with trees. ABC11 reported that while there were no other injuries reported at the scene, the westbound lanes of I-540 were shut down, causing traffic issues in the area.
The intense blaze that followed the crash proved too much for the first responding officer's fire extinguisher, as recounted by CBS17. Attempts to save the driver of the Chevrolet were unsuccessful, as they were tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger and driver of the Subaru sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital.
Efforts to identify the deceased were hampered by the extensive damage, with the vehicle's license plate and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) being burned beyond recognition. As a result, the Raleigh Police Department is working to confirm the identity of the driver. According to WRAL, no charges have been filed as of now, and the crash remains under investigation.
All lanes of I-540 were eventually reopened, bringing an end to the significant backups that had extended from Brier Creek Parkway east to Creedmoor Road. The crash reconstruction unit of the Raleigh Police continues to work on an ongoing investigation into the incident's cause and circumstances.
