Raleigh, N.C. — A 52-year-old Fuquay-Varina man died Friday evening when his car crashed and caught fire in the 300 block of northbound Capital Boulevard in downtown Raleigh. 

Police said James Gates was driving more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit between Peace and Lane streets when he wrecked about 7 p.m. 

The engine of Gates' car caught on fire immediately after he hit a concrete bridge abutment, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities closed the roadway between Peace and Lane streets for most of the evening while firefighters and police worked the scene. 

An off-duty police officer was first to happen upon the crash and tried to put out the fire until more emergency personnel arrived. Gates would have turned 53 Saturday.