Deadly I-42 Rollover Near Wake County Line Leaves Passenger Dead, Driver Charged

Troopers cite speed and alcohol as contributing factors in the single-vehicle crash that killed a Raleigh man and sent the driver to the hospital.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:05pm

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Early Friday morning, a pickup truck traveling westbound on the US-70 Bypass, signed as I-42 near the Wake and Johnston County line, rolled multiple times after the driver lost control, killing the passenger and sending the driver to the hospital before he was arrested on multiple charges including felony death by motor vehicle and driving while impaired.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving, particularly when speed and alcohol are involved. It also raises questions about road safety and enforcement efforts along this stretch of highway that connects several North Carolina counties.

The details

According to investigators, the 2008 Ford Ranger ran off the right shoulder around 2:23 a.m., and the driver then overcorrected, sending the truck across the left lanes where it rolled several times before coming to rest upright in the travel lanes. Neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seat belts, which likely increased the severity of the wreck.

  • The crash occurred around 2:23 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2026.
  • The passenger, identified as 40-year-old Jose Alberto Francisco-Perez of Raleigh, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The players

Luis Angel Chaidez Gonzalez

The 30-year-old Raleigh resident was the driver of the Ford Ranger involved in the fatal rollover crash. He was arrested and charged with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, no operator's license, careless and reckless driving, an open container violation, and failure to wear a seat belt.

Jose Alberto Francisco-Perez

The 40-year-old Raleigh resident was the passenger in the Ford Ranger and was killed in the rollover crash.

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What’s next

The State Highway Patrol's investigation remains open as troopers continue interviewing witnesses and processing evidence from the scene. Prosecutors are expected to review the case as it moves forward, and investigators are urging anyone who saw the crash or its aftermath to come forward.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences that can result from reckless driving behaviors like speeding and driving under the influence. It underscores the importance of road safety, seatbelt usage, and responsible driving to prevent such senseless loss of life.