Thursday afternoon traffic on Wake Forest Road came to a sudden, violent stop when a six-vehicle collision in front of Duke Health Raleigh left one driver dead and several others injured. Raleigh police arrived shortly after 1:45 p.m., and emergency crews eventually cleared the wreckage and reopened the road later in the day.
Investigators say the chain reaction started when a black Subaru Forester heading north lost control and slammed into multiple vehicles. That initial impact set off a domino effect involving at least five other cars.
According to ABC11, the crash forced a blue Honda CR-V into oncoming traffic, where it collided with a red Nissan Altima and a white Dodge Journey. The Subaru also hit a gray Fiat 500 and sideswiped a blue Hyundai Sonata.
The driver of the Subaru was taken to WakeMed Hospital and later died from his injuries. Several other drivers were hospitalized with what police described as minor to moderate injuries. Officers at the scene told reporters the wreck was “not weather-related,” and the collision remains under investigation, ABC11 reports.
Where it happened
The crash unfolded on Wake Forest Road directly in front of Duke Health Raleigh, the hospital complex at 3400 Wake Forest Road. It is a heavily traveled stretch near the I-440 beltline and several medical facilities. Duke Health lists the hospital’s address as 3400 Wake Forest Rd, while WakeMed’s Raleigh Campus, where some victims were taken, is at 3000 New Bern Ave, per Duke Health and WakeMed.
What investigators are looking at
Raleigh police say they are examining vehicle damage, reviewing witness statements and combing through any available video to figure out why the Subaru lost control in the first place. No names have been released. Authorities are asking anyone who may have information or dash-cam footage from the area to contact investigators.
