A Durham man walking along Old Oxford Road was struck and killed Sunday by a vehicle that took off instead of stopping, according to Durham-area troopers. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators say the driver did not return. Authorities are asking anyone who saw the crash or who may have video to come forward.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the victim as Barry Vaughn and said he was walking on Old Oxford Road between Thompson and Hamlin roads when he was struck on Sunday, the agency told CBS17. Troopers pronounced Vaughn dead at the scene and continue to search for the vehicle involved.
The crash is being investigated by the State Highway Patrol's Troop C unit in Durham, and officials asked witnesses to call the Durham office at 919-560-6868, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Troop C's contact page lists the local phone number and encourages anyone with tips or dash-cam footage to share what they have.
What investigators say about the vehicle
Investigators told CBS17 the unknown vehicle likely has damage to its windshield and may be missing a windshield wiper, details troopers hope will help someone recognize it. The suspect remains at large and no arrests have been announced.
Why hit-and-runs are a wider problem
A 2026 research brief from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 21.3% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in North Carolina from 2017–2023 occurred in hit-and-run crashes, underscoring how often drivers leave victims at the scene. Local groups such as Bike Durham say the data bolsters calls for better crossings, lighting and enforcement on busy arterials.
Legal consequences
Under North Carolina law, drivers who fail to stop and render aid after a crash that causes injury or death violate G.S. 20-166 and can face criminal penalties, including jail time and fines. Prosecutors could bring hit-and-run charges and related offenses depending on what investigators determine, according to ncleg.gov.
Troopers ask anyone with information, including cellphone or dash-cam video, to call Troop C's Durham unit at 919-560-6868 or contact local law enforcement with tips. The community is mourning the loss as investigators work to locate the vehicle and driver responsible.
