1 dead, several injured in crash on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh

One person is dead and several others were injured after a multi-vehicle crash involving two motorcycles, a passenger vehicle and a tow truck overnight on Capital Boulevard in northeast Raleigh.

The crash happened near the intersection of Capital Boulevard and Trawick Road.

According to a watch commander at the scene, the tow truck driver was traveling southbound on Capital Boulevard and made an illegal U-turn at a red light. Investigators said the tow truck then collided with a white sedan and two motorcycles that were traveling northbound.

One motorcyclist died in the crash. A second motorcyclist was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.

The driver of the white sedan was also taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. A passenger in the sedan suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken for treatment.

ABC11 crews were first on the scene, where multiple emergency vehicles responded and several lanes of Capital Boulevard were shut down as investigators processed the crash scene.

Police said the tow truck driver has been charged and was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of driving while impaired, resisting a public officer, and driving while license revoked due to an impaired driving revocation.

Several lanes of Capital Boulevard remained closed Friday morning, causing significant traffic disruptions. Officials said the roadway is expected to remain closed for another two to three hours as the investigation continues.

Police have not released the identity of the victim. The investigation remains ongoing.

ABC11 is The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 8:15 AM.