Man, 32, charged in Raleigh fatal hit-and-run

A tip stemming from media coverage led to Mateo Guzman-Palacios' arrest, police said.

Guzman-Palacios, 32, of 2201 Poole Road, Raleigh, was jailed on two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license, failing to stop at a red light and two counts of felony hit-and-run.

The crash happened shortly before 12:30 a.m. at the intersection of New Bern Avenue and Trawick Road.

According to a wreck report released Saturday afternoon, Jacob John Wootsick, 28, of Louisburg, was driving a 1998 Honda sedan east on New Bern Avenue when he tried to turn left onto Trawick Road.

A dark-colored 2002-06 Chevrolet Avalanche traveling west on New Bern Avenue ran a red light at Trawick Road and struck Wootsick's Honda on the right side.

Passengers Brittany Williams, 24, of Fuquay-Varina, and Naomi Mercury, 18, of Wake Forest, died as a result of their injuries sustained in the wreck.

"They were both just beautiful women, great people," said Wootsick. "Anyone who knew them could tell you that. It is just a sad situation and, you know, it is unexplainable."

Williams worked at the Bahama Breeze Island Grille for four years. She was described by her manager as well liked.

"She was caring. She helped others," said Christopher Banton. "She was someone I could count on when I got into a spot. Everyone really loved her, and we are really going to be thinking about her family during this time."

Nathan Lee Norris and Tyrone Marquis Daniels, both of Raleigh, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Wootsick was not hurt.