Raleigh police said William Hinnant, 25, lost control of his sport utility vehicle at 6:14 a.m. in a westbound lane of Interstate 440 between Rock Quarry and Hammond roads.
Officials said the SUV overturned and hit the median guardrail. Hinnant was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
Three of five lanes were closed for three hours, backing up traffic for miles and angering commuters.
Raleigh police said the time it took to investigate and clear the wreck and was warranted.
"We have to conduct what is called a major accident investigation," said Lt. Octavius Benifield of the Raleigh Police Department. "That's precise measurements where we determine speed and different angles. There could be a civil liabilities based on our measurements and our investigation. So it is a very precise investigation anytime there are serious injuries or a fatality. "
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