Doctor offered plea deal in ballerina's death

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County prosecutors are offering a plea deal to a Raleigh doctor charged in a DWI wreck that killed a ballerina.

Assistant District Attorney Jeff Cruden said in court Monday morning that the details would remain confidential until Raymond Dwight Cook and his attorney decide whether to accept the deal.

If he rejects the deal, Cruden said the state is prepared to take the case to trial.

Raleigh police said Cook, of 10516 Beckridge Lane, was traveling 90 mph when he crashed into the back of Elena Bright Shapiro's vehicle at Lead Mine and Strickland roads the evening of Sept. 11.

Shapiro, 20, of Winston-Salem, died as a result of the crash.

Cook had been drinking at a local country club and at a local tavern prior to the crash, witnesses said.

Cook, who is out of jail on a $250,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder and driving while impaired, reportedly underwent rehab out of state.

Public records indicate he has a DWI conviction from 1989 in Camden County, Ga., where he pleaded no contest to the charge.

A ballerina with the Carolina Ballet, Shapiro had been in Raleigh rehearsing for "Swan Lake."

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Latest Comments

I have no pity for him whatsoever. And I have no doubt he feels badly NOW, its THEN that he should have thought about it. I'm sick of perps getting sympathy and the victim is forgotten. My heartfelt wishes to Elena's family.

shortcake53
May 18, 2010 6:13 p.m.

He is a doctor who can AFFORD to hire a driver or take a taxi; who knows the effects of alcohol; and his actions killed a young person. When you CHOOSE to DRINK AND DRIVE you should be guilty of pre-meditated manslaughter as a minimum. But being a doctor and not a poor person he will get A DEAL. I bet he gets probation and no prison time. It's typical of the current Dept of Justice for people who are "elite." Bruce Eckard charged with 200+ sex exploitation of children was convicted of them and on his sex offender site it says one victim was age 7 .. and he did zero prison time; not one day. The leadership at the Dept of Justice is strangely silent lately on everthing from child sex trafficking to child sex abuse and domestic violence. Too silent!!

Myra
May 18, 2010 4:29 p.m.

Hey tar person - obviosly no one close to you has ever been killed by a drunk driver...so sad. I don't assume anything - he was a doctor - took an OATH to protect, and what did he do - he went out got wasted and took an innocent life for what- the joy of going out and partying. Nothing more than facts there - he went to two locations, had a blood alcohol level of .18 - got in his car and killed an innocent 20 year old girl and took her away from her family and HE is still with his family.

heaf200
May 18, 2010 2:58 p.m.

This man do not need any deals. He should get 60 years in prison. Gee, he took an innocent girls life because he was drinking alcohol to the excess. There is not excuse for his actions.

wildcat
May 18, 2010 1:37 p.m.

To the man who made the comment why are so "closed minded" because he should have been more responsible with his drinking. If you want to go out and drink, then have the common decency for other people who don't want to be hit, or KILLED by you and get a dd. And sadly he is a doctor, someone who took an OATH to save lives, not take them away. And he is a repeat offender, as his dwi in 1989 tells. That is why so many people are "closed minded". edie3470 May 18, 2010 10:22 a.m. Report abuse

TO: edie 3470

Who said I was a man? As you so declare! Just a perfect example of your ASSUMING things; just as you are doing with Dr. Cook!!!

tarfags
May 18, 2010 12:54 p.m.