Driver faces slew of charges after fatal, wrong-way Raleigh wreck

Sarah Aimee Carden was charged with felony death by vehicle in the death of Tshimpangila Junior Bajani, along with felony serious injury by vehicle, felony hit-and-run resulting in death, felony fleeing to elude arrest, careless and reckless driving, driving while impaired and traveling the wrong way on a dual-lane highway.

Police said Carden was driving the wrong way on I-440 West between Beryl Road and Western Boulevard around 4 a.m.

Bajani and Adrina Angelica Moore were in a second vehicle traveling west in a westbound lane when they saw Carden's Acura heading toward them.

Bajani swerved to the right to avoid Carden's car, left the roadway, and as he tried to correct the car, it overturned several times before crashing into the guardrail.

Bajani, 30, of Raleigh, was killed. Moore, 25, of Raleigh, was taken to WakeMed with serious injuries. She has since been treated and released.

Court records show that Carden kept driving after the crash despite several officers' attempts to pull her over. A state trooper stopped her and arrested her on the Beltline near Six Forks Road. Authorities said she had a blood alcohol content of 0.16, which is twice the legal limit.

Less than two weeks ago, on May 30, Carden was charged with damaging personal property, according to court records. 

Both sides of I-440 were closed for about four hours while police cleaned up debris and investigated the wreck. Traffic was diverted onto Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street.