A late-night walk near UNC REX Hospital ended in tragedy Friday when a pedestrian was struck and killed on Blue Ridge Road, snarling traffic and drawing a heavy police presence to one of Raleigh's busiest medical corridors.
The crash happened around 10:30 p.m. and prompted lane closures while investigators worked the scene. Emergency crews stayed on Blue Ridge Road into the overnight hours as detectives documented the roadway and collected evidence. Officials have not yet publicly identified the person who was killed, and they have released only limited information about how the collision unfolded.
Raleigh police responded to the scene and are leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash, according to The News & Observer. In a statement to The News & Observer, UNC Health said that “the safety and well-being of our patients and teammates is our number one priority” and noted that UNC REX personnel are working with the Raleigh Police Department as the investigation continues.
Blue Ridge Road improvements and safety
The section of Blue Ridge Road where the crash occurred is part of a $26.6 million City of Raleigh project to widen the corridor and add sidewalks, a multi-use path and a pedestrian culvert intended to improve safety for people walking and biking. The City of Raleigh's project page describes the work as an effort to create a safer multimodal corridor around the hospital campus, although ongoing construction and shifting lanes can add complexity for nighttime travel. The project also includes upgraded transit stops and new links to the House Creek Greenway.
Investigation underway
As of now, Raleigh police have not released further details about the driver, the victim or the precise circumstances of the crash and did not immediately respond to requests for comment, The News & Observer reported.
In pedestrian-involved crashes, investigators typically look at factors such as lighting, whether crosswalks were used and vehicle speed before determining what, if any, charges are appropriate. The outcome of this inquiry will guide any potential legal action. This story will be updated as the Raleigh Police Department and UNC Health release additional information.
