At least one person is dead and the intersection of NC 55 and Riddle Road is closed after a chase involving Durham County Sheriff’s Office ended in a crash in Durham late Thursday night.
State Highway Patrol told WRAL News the deadly crash involved two vehicles, a Ford F150 pickup truck and a Dodge Charger and happened just after 11:30 p.m.
Officials said a Durham County sheriff’s deputy was attempting a routine traffic stop after the driver of the truck ran a red light
on Riddle Road.
Troopers identified the Ford pickup truck driver as
18-year-old Kevin Alejandro Ruiz Gomez. Officials told WRAL News Gomez ran into the car after running the traffic light.
The driver of the Dodge Charger died on the scene, and the
passenger was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for their injuries,
deputies said.
Ruiz Gomez was also taken to a nearby hospital for his injuries and taken into custody.
The WRAL Breaking News Tracker captured video of the aftermath. Traffic lights on NC 55 and Riddle Road are damaged, some in pieces hitting the ground.
The truck and car are destroyed, tangled in utility wires.
The intersection remains closed Friday morning. Authorities on the scene told WRAL News that it is expected to be shut down for several hours.
State Highway Patrol is on the scene investigating the crash. DCSO is also investigating the chase. Duke Energy crews, Durham police and City of Durham Transportation truck is on the scene as well.
Duke Energy is working to replace utility lines, and a city crew has been requested to replace traffic lights. WRAL’s Sky 5 flew over the scene as crews worked to repair the downed power lines.
WRAL News is working to find out what caused the chase and the identity of the victim.