Durham, North Carolina — Early Sunday, a head-on collision on the Durham Freeway ended the life of Master Trooper Steven J. Perry, a respected member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and claimed the life of another driver. The crash happened just after 3 a.m. near the Swift Avenue exit on N.C. Highway 147 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way struck Perry’s marked patrol car. Both men died at the scene.
Perry, 30, had spent nearly seven years serving Durham County, earning his place through the 148th Basic Patrol School and earning the respect of colleagues across the region. That dedication was clear in the way he approached his work, patrolling the freeway with a focus on safety and community service.
The driver of the other vehicle, identified as 39-year-old Melshawn Moore of Kinston, was headed south in the northbound lanes when the collision occurred. Officials reported that impairment on Moore’s part may have been a factor in the crash. Investigators continue to examine what led to the wrong-way entry on the freeway.
The crash shut down a stretch of the Durham Freeway for several hours as emergency crews cleared wreckage and investigators documented the scene. Highway patrol officials described the investigation as ongoing, with the Collision Reconstruction Unit working to piece together the final details.
Friends, family and fellow officers mourned Perry’s loss as news spread Sunday afternoon. His fellow troopers spoke of him as a dependable colleague who took pride in his role protecting the people of Durham County. State leaders extended condolences to the Highway Patrol and Perry’s loved ones, emphasizing the sacrifice he made in service.
The news comes amid another recent loss for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, after a trooper in another part of the state died in a separate on-duty crash just weeks earlier. The department faces a difficult period as it remembers its fallen members and supports grieving families.
As the investigation continues, officials urge drivers to stay alert on the roads, especially in the early morning hours when wrong-way crashes can occur with devastating consequences.
