NASCAR driver dies, VinFast lawsuit and a really big bloom: Today’s top stories
The News & Observer covered major developments across the Triangle on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from criminal charges in a fatal bike crash to a state lawsuit against a Vietnamese automaker.
Here’s a roundup of today’s top stories.
- Driver charged in teen’s death: Durham police charged Joseph Savarino, 26, with felony death by motor vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and failure to reduce speed in the April 18 crash that killed 15-year-old Cardinal Gibbons freshman Jack O’Shea. Savarino had a blood alcohol level of 0.11% when tested more than three hours after the crash.
Read more: Durham police charge driver with 15-year-old bike rider’s death in April crash
- NC sues VinFast: North Carolina filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to acquire VinFast’s dormant Chatham County site after the Vietnamese EV maker failed to meet construction deadlines and job-creation promises. The state has already paid $51.7 million toward site preparation for what was supposed to be a $4 billion, 7,500-worker facility.
Read more: NC sues VinFast to take over Chatham County site after company resists sale
- NASCAR legend dies at 41: Kyle Busch, the all-time winningest driver across all NASCAR national series with 234 victories, died Thursday after a severe illness. The two-time Cup Series champion had been hospitalized before this weekend’s racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Read more: Legendary NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, 41, dies after ‘severe illness.’ What we know
- Pan-Asian grocer coming to Triangle: Lotte Plaza Market will open its first North Carolina location at McCrimmon Corners in Morrisville in the second half of 2027. The 48,000-square-foot store will offer Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Indian and other Asian foods.
Read more: Grocery store will open its first NC location in the Triangle. What to expect
In-depth
- Inside UNC’s controversial new school: UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Civic Life and Leadership became an independent academic unit at the end of the spring semester, growing from 85 students in Fall 2024 to an anticipated 1,000-plus for the 2025-26 academic year. The school has faced controversy over conservative values and a sealed $1.2 million investigation into hiring practices.
Read more: UNC’s School of Civic Life has come under attack. Students reveal what it’s really like
Evening Read
- Raleigh agave’s spectacular finale: An agave plant in Agata Slaczka’s northeast Raleigh yard shot up 25 feet in a single month after sitting dormant for 15 years. Agaves bloom only once in their multi-decade lifetime, sending up a single tower-shaped inflorescence before dying.
Read more: Raleigh plant’s ‘death bloom’ is a spectacular show before inevitable demise
Canes-Canadiens Live Updates
- Hurricanes open Eastern Conference Final: The Carolina Hurricanes faced the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Final after an 11-day break since sweeping Philadelphia on May 9. Carolina enters the series after winning its first eight playoff games but with a power play converting just 13.5% of opportunities. Read more: Hurricanes-Canadiens in NHL Eastern Conference Final: Live updates from Raleigh
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.