In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, a fatal head-on collision on NC Highway 147 — known locally as the Durham Freeway — claimed the lives of two people, including an on-duty North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper. An alert from the North Carolina Department of Transportation went out around 3 a.m. that a crash occurred at NC-147 between mile markers 4 and 5 near Swift Avenue. Troopers said the trooper was traveling northbound on NC-147 when he was struck by a wrong-way driver, and both drivers died as a result of the crash. The fallen trooper was identified as Master Trooper Steven J. Perry. Perry was a member of the 148th Basic Patrol School and had served Durham County throughout his nearly seven-year career. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol thanked the Durham Fire Department, Durham Police Department, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation IMAP Division for their extensive assistance at the scene. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Governor Josh Stein issued a statement honoring Trooper Perry's dedication to public safety and asked all North Carolinians to keep his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred on NC-147, also known as the Durham Freeway, between mile markers 4 and 5 near Swift Avenue. NC-147 is a major urban freeway cutting through the heart of Durham, connecting downtown Durham to Interstate 40 to the south and serving as a critical corridor for commuter and freight traffic. The Swift Avenue interchange is located near Duke University's East Campus and several dense residential and commercial areas. Following the crash, a section of the freeway near Swift Avenue was closed in both directions, with northbound traffic being redirected at Swift Avenue and southbound traffic being redirected at Fulton Street; the Anderson Street overpass at Highway 147 was also closed. The freeway's design as a limited-access divided highway makes wrong-way entries particularly hazardous, as drivers traveling against traffic have little time to react, especially in low-visibility nighttime conditions.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under North Carolina law, wrong-way driving on a controlled-access highway is a serious traffic violation that may give rise to both civil and criminal liability. When a fatality results from such conduct, survivors and the estates of deceased victims may pursue wrongful death claims under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, which allows recovery for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. North Carolina follows a contributory negligence standard, meaning any finding of fault on the part of a claimant could bar recovery. As a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, Master Trooper Perry's family may also be entitled to benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act (PSOB) at the federal level, as well as state-specific line-of-duty death benefits administered through North Carolina. The statute of limitations for wrongful death actions in North Carolina is generally two years from the date of death. Affected parties are encouraged to consult a licensed North Carolina attorney to understand their specific rights and options.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• Durham Fire Department: (919) 560-4193
• Durham Police Department: (919) 560-4600
• NC State Highway Patrol – Troop B (Durham area): (919) 560-6880

Traffic Safety & Reporting

• NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Traffic Information: ncdot.gov
• NCDOT 511 Traveler Information: Dial 5-1-1 or visit nc511.org
• Report wrong-way drivers: Call 911 immediately

Support Services for Accident Victims and Families

• NC Crime Victims Compensation Commission: (919) 733-7974 | ncdps.gov
• Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) – support for families of fallen officers: concernsofpolicesurvivors.org
• NC State Highway Patrol Chaplaincy Program: Contact via NCSHP headquarters at (919) 733-7952

State Laws and Regulations

• NC Wrong-Way Driving Laws: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-165.1
• NC Wrongful Death Statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2
• NC DMV Driver's Handbook & Traffic Laws: ncdot.gov/dmv