The city of Raleigh is grieving after a tragic afternoon crash took the life of Michael Ray Capers, a man whose routine ride ended in a devastating moment on a busy roadway.
Police say the fatal collision happened around 2:48 p.m. on March 4, 2026, near the intersection of Hammond Road and Rush Street. Investigators reported that Capers was riding a moped northbound along Hammond Road when the deadly chain of events unfolded.
According to preliminary findings, a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in the same direction behind Capers. Authorities said the driver, 35-year-old Gabriela Perez Ortiz, was moving northbound in the outside lane when the vehicle failed to slow down as it approached the moped.
The SUV struck the rear of Capers’ moped with significant force. The impact threw Capers from the vehicle and onto the roadway. In a tragic sequence that unfolded in seconds, investigators say he was then run over by the same Jeep.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after the crash. Despite their efforts, Capers suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead as a result of the collision.
Police confirmed that Ortiz remained at the scene and cooperated fully with officers as they began their investigation. Authorities also stated there were no signs that the driver was impaired at the time of the crash.
Ortiz has since been cited for several violations, including Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle, Failure to Reduce Speed, and No Operator’s License. Investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash as part of the ongoing case.
For many in Raleigh, the loss of Michael Ray Capers has left a deep sense of sorrow. Friends, neighbors, and community members are remembering a life cut short far too soon, while offering prayers and support to the family he leaves behind.
