KNIGHTDALE, NC, (June 28, 2026) — A Raleigh man was arrested after allegedly causing a fatal crash Sunday night on Interstate 87 in Wake County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the driver was traveling at an unsafe speed for the rainy conditions when he struck another vehicle, killing one person and seriously injuring a passenger. Investigators cited the driver’s speed as greater than reasonable given the weather at the time of the crash.
Derick Dewayne Wright was killed in the crash. A passenger in the vehicle was seriously injured and is being treated for their injuries.
The driver, a 33-year-old Raleigh man, was charged with eight offenses, including involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, driving without a license and driving on unsafe tires. He refused a blood alcohol test at the scene and was held on a $250,000 secured bond.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
