A Friday night walk along New Bern Avenue turned deadly when a pedestrian was hit and killed by a car near the Wake Inn at Shanta Drive, according to Raleigh police. The crash shut down part of the already busy corridor as officers worked under the lights, and drivers crawled past the scene in long backups.
Authorities said the person died at the scene, but they have not released the victim’s name or any details about the vehicle involved. Commuters reported delays while officers documented the crash, marked the roadway and collected evidence.
What Happened
According to WRAL, Raleigh Police said the collision took place on New Bern Avenue near the Wake Inn at Shanta Drive and prompted a partial road closure while detectives investigated. At the time of the report, the department had not shared information about the driver or whether any charges might be on the table.
Officers took photographs, examined the pavement and surrounding area, and redirected traffic around the investigation zone as motorists tried to navigate the bottleneck. The stretch, already known for construction cones and shifting lanes, turned into an even tighter squeeze.
Construction And Safety Context
New Bern Avenue has been under active construction as part of Raleigh’s Bus Rapid Transit project, which the city has warned could bring lane changes and temporary closures. The City of Raleigh urges drivers to “drive slowly through the construction site” and be prepared for detours, while the city’s City of Raleigh Vision Zero program lists New Bern as a corridor where lighting and pedestrian improvements are a priority.
Officials say a mix of roadway design changes and stepped-up enforcement is part of a broader push to cut down on serious crashes along high‑volume streets like New Bern, where people on foot and in cars often find themselves competing for the same limited space.
Neighborhood Reaction
Residents along New Bern have grown increasingly vocal about safety concerns after a series of incidents in the area. On May 12, a shooting at a busy bus stop left one person injured, according to ABC11. That episode pushed community members to demand more police presence, better lighting and a faster timeline for pedestrian upgrades.
Those calls have only gotten louder as construction work and shifting traffic patterns have made the corridor feel even more precarious for people who walk, wait for the bus or cross New Bern on a regular basis.
Raleigh police said the investigation into Friday night’s fatal crash remains active and urged anyone who saw what happened to contact the department. As of late Friday, they had not released additional details, including whether the driver stayed at the scene or if charges are being considered, WRAL reported. Hoodline will seek updates from Raleigh police and report new information as it becomes available.
