Fatal Pedestrian Incident on I-40 Near RDU Causes Hours of Major Traffic Delays
A woman died after being struck by multiple vehicles on Interstate 40 East near Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) early Friday morning. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Davis Drive, led to the closure of eastbound lanes for several hours, causing severe traffic backups on I-40 and I-885. All lanes reopened by 8:30 a.m., but police have not released further details about the victim or the investigation.
Key points
- Durham police responded to a report of a pedestrian being hit on I-40 East near Davis Drive at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday.
- Officers found the woman dead at the scene and confirmed she had been struck multiple times by unknown vehicles.
- Eastbound lanes of I-40 were closed for a one-mile stretch between Exit 280 (Davis Drive) and Exit 281 (South Miami Boulevard).
- The closure caused severe delays that extended onto Interstate 885, with traffic resembling rush hour conditions by 6 a.m.
- One lane reopened at 8 a.m., and all lanes were fully reopened by 8:30 a.m.
- Police stated they cannot release any additional information regarding the investigation at this time.
Background
This incident adds to a series of recent fatal traffic and violent incidents in the Durham area. In October 2026, a 37-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle on the Durham Freeway (NC 147) near Fayetteville Street, where the driver fled the scene. Additionally, in September 2026, two fatal shootings occurred in Durham within a single week, one near a downtown bar and another on Eva Street, with no arrests made in either case. These events highlight ongoing safety concerns in the region.
Why it matters
The fatal crash on I-40 near RDU significantly impacted regional transportation, causing hours of severe delays during the morning commute. The closure of a major interstate near a major airport underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to sudden incidents and the lasting impact on daily travel for commuters and travelers.
What to watch
Durham police are continuing their investigation into the fatal incident but have not released any further details. Authorities are expected to provide updates as the investigation progresses, though no immediate timeline for further information has been given.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on WRAL