The Raleigh community is mourning the loss of a young man after a tragic single-vehicle accident near Interstate 40 claimed his life on Sunday morning. According to authorities, the incident occurred just after 10 a.m. on Wade Avenue, moments after the vehicle exited from I-40 East.

The Raleigh Police Department responded to reports of a vehicle fire following a crash beneath the I-40 overpass, prompting an immediate emergency response.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a severely damaged car that had run off the road to the right and collided directly with a concrete bridge pillar supporting the overpass. The violent impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames, creating a dangerous scene for first responders and passing motorists.

Fire crews from both the Cary Fire Department and the Raleigh Fire Department quickly arrived at the scene and worked diligently to extinguish the blaze. Once the fire was under control, responders searched the wreckage and discovered the driver — later identified as Conor Newell, 22 — deceased inside the vehicle.

In a news release, the Raleigh Police Department stated that witnesses had observed the car veering off the roadway before striking the bridge support. “Preliminary information suggests that the vehicle left the travel lane and collided with the pillar, resulting in the fire,” the statement read. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about what may have caused the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) confirmed that the incident led to the closure of the Wade Avenue exit ramp from I-40 East for several hours as crews worked to clear the debris and investigate the scene. NCDOT traffic cameras showed police officers blocking access to the ramp while firefighters battled the flames and investigators examined the crash site.

The sudden death of Conor Newell has deeply affected those who knew him. Friends and family members are grappling with the devastating news, remembering Conor as a vibrant and promising young man with a bright future ahead. Social media posts have begun circulating as loved ones pay tribute to his memory, describing him as kind-hearted, hardworking, and full of life.

Authorities have not yet determined whether speed, impairment, mechanical failure, or weather conditions played a role in the crash. The Raleigh Police Department’s Collision Unit is leading the investigation and will release more information as it becomes available.

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of roadway travel and the importance of exercising caution behind the wheel. Even familiar roads and short drives can turn deadly in an instant, underscoring the need for attentiveness and safe driving habits.