A late night crash on northbound I‑885 in Durham turned deadly Tuesday when a pedestrian was struck and killed, shutting down the highway as emergency crews and investigators worked for hours at the scene. Officers found the person on the roadway and emergency responders tried to save the victim, but the individual was pronounced dead a short time later. Police have not released the victim's name while the investigation continues.
Durham police say officers were called just before 10:30 p.m. to a crash on the northbound side of I‑885 between the exits for Holloway Street and Cheek Road, where they found a pedestrian who later died from their injuries, according to WRAL. WRAL reports the northbound lanes of the highway were still closed at about 3 a.m. while investigators documented the scene and cleared debris.
Where The Crash Happened
I‑885, known locally as the East End Connector, links I‑85 and U.S. 70 through east Durham. In this stretch, the Cheek Road and Holloway Street ramps are clustered close together, funneling traffic through tight merges. North Carolina Department of Transportation planning documents for the East End Connector describe the project area as running from NC‑147 to north of NC‑98 (Holloway Street), which places the crash within that corridor, per NCDOT.
Investigation Under Way
The Durham Police Department says detectives are investigating the collision as they work to determine how it happened and who was involved. It was not immediately clear whether the driver stayed at the scene or whether any charges might be filed, according to WRAL, which reports that authorities are still working to confirm and release the names of those connected to the crash.
Traffic Delays And Safety Concerns
The shutdown of northbound I‑885 triggered late night backups and prompted advisories for drivers to take alternate routes until the highway could be reopened. Durham County crash data show that collisions involving pedestrians remain a persistent problem. The North Carolina Department of Transportation's 2024 Durham County Crash Profile logs annual pedestrian fatalities and injuries that highlight the broader safety challenge on local roads, according to NCDOT.
