Raleigh, NC (June 27, 2026) — An 18-year-old driver died Saturday afternoon when his SUV left the roadway, struck trees, and caught fire in the Brier Creek area of northwest Raleigh, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Abraham Karim Manrique Ponce was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. A juvenile passenger, who was wearing a seat belt, was able to exit the SUV on his own and was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary investigation indicates the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway to the right and struck two trees on Arco Corporate Drive near Macaw Street at approximately 1:14 p.m.
The Raleigh Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the resulting blaze. The crash remains under investigation by the Raleigh Police Department.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Raleigh Police Department.
