NC Kindergarten teacher, Shaw U Bears grad killed in I-40 crash in Durham

A crash on I-40 westbound Sunday morning claimed the life of a woman and left her sister injured in Durham County.

Around 4:45 a.m., Brijette Basden, 24, of Kernersville, pulled over on the left side of the interstate near Page Road to switch driving duties with her sister, Asrael Basden.

While both sisters were standing outside the Ford Fusion, which was partially in the roadway, they were hit by a 2003 Toyota Camry, Durham police said.

The Camry, traveling in the far-left lane, also collided with the Ford. It then veered to the right and was struck by a 2021 Toyota Camry traveling in the second lane from the left.

Brijette Basden was killed in the crash, authorities said. Asrael Basden was taken to a hospital with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt.

No charges have been filed, but the investigation is ongoing.

All westbound lanes were closed for several hours as authorities completed the on-scene investigation.

ABC11 News has confirmed that Brijette was a kindergarten teacher at Sallie B. Howard School in Wilson. The school sent this statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Ms. Brijette Basden, one of our Kindergarten teachers. Though she was new to our school community, Ms. Basden quickly made a lasting impact through her kindness, gentle spirit, and passion for educating young children. She brought joy and dedication to her classroom every day and was a valued member of our Kindergarten team. Our staff and students are heartbroken by this loss and will miss her dearly.”

She was a Shaw University graduate and was a member of the track and field team, the coach told ABC11.

Micah Wright is coping with the loss of her beloved friend, Brijette Basden. Wright was also a member of the team.

“She was just so, so kind. So nice, Wright said. “Just loved being around her and with her.”

She said the two had just seen each other at Shaw’s homecoming when she got calls from her friends telling her that Basden had died overnight.

“It just feels so unreal. Like Brijette, of all people, I just can’t process it.”

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact Investigator G. Munter at 919-560-4935 ext. 29448 or Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.

ABC11 is The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM.