Suspected Impairment Linked to Wrong-Way Collision That Killed North Carolina State Trooper in Durham

Durham, North Carolina  — March 2, 2026 — According to WFMY 2 News, authorities say a suspected impaired driver traveling the wrong direction on N.C. 147 caused a devastating early morning crash that claimed the life of a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper.

According to officials, Melshawn Moore, 39, of Kinston, was driving a Nissan Altima in the northbound lanes of N.C. 147 while traveling south when the vehicle collided head-on with a patrol vehicle operated by Trooper Steven J. Perry. The crash occurred shortly after 3 a.m. between mile markers 4 and 5 near the Swift Avenue area.

Both Moore and Trooper Perry died as a result of the collision.

Investigators with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Collision Reconstruction Unit are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash, including evidence indicating that impairment may have played a role.

Trooper Perry had served the Durham community for approximately seven years with the State Highway Patrol.

North Carolina Central University confirmed that Perry previously attended the university, where he played football as an offensive lineman from 2014 through 2017. During his collegiate career, he appeared in 30 games and started every game during his senior season. He was also part of the Eagles team that captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2016 and competed in the Celebration Bowl.

Perry earned his degree in criminal justice from the university in 2018 and was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Following the crash, authorities closed portions of N.C. 147 in both directions as well as a segment of Anderson Street while emergency responders and investigators worked at the scene.

The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing.

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.