Two pedestrians were injured in downtown Raleigh when a driver accused of being impaired crashed at the intersection of Fayetteville Street and East Hargett Street, according to Raleigh police. Officers took the man into custody at the scene and charged him with driving while impaired.
According to CBS17, the driver was arrested after the wreck and is facing a DWI charge. The station reported that authorities have not yet publicly identified the driver or released specific details about the victims' injuries.
Downtown Safety Efforts
The collision happened along a busy stretch of downtown that Raleigh has already flagged for safety upgrades under its Safe Streets for All planning effort. The city’s comprehensive safety action plan, detailed by the City of Raleigh, lays out engineering changes, stepped-up enforcement and public education campaigns meant to cut down on serious crashes and better protect people walking in high-traffic areas.
Investigation and Legal Next Steps
Raleigh police say the crash remains under investigation as they work to piece together what led up to the impact. Prosecutors are expected to review the case to decide whether any additional charges should be filed.
Under state law, impaired driving is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-138.1, which provides the legal framework for prosecution and sentencing and is published by the N.C. General Assembly.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has dashcam video from the area to contact the Raleigh Police Department’s nonemergency line or submit a tip through the department’s online resources. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
