Garner man charged in deadly 3-car crash on Atlantic Avenue related to street racing

Manuel Antonio Cerrone, 30, of Garner, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit-and-run causing serious injury or death and misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Police believe Cerrone was in a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro that fled the scene after the March 7 crash that left one person dead and two others hurt.

According to Raleigh police, William Ortiz, 33, was driving a Mercedes Benz E 300 northbound on Atlantic Avenue, alongside the Camaro.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicated Ortiz's Mercedes and Cerrone's Camaro were racing while traveling recklessly at high speeds.

One resident said the stretch of road is dangerous because of its layout.

"It's not just a curve, it goes under the overpass," said Steven Brown, a resident. "It is really dangerous."

Ortiz lost control of his Mercedes and hit a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse head-on as it was traveling southbound on Atlantic Avenue. The driver of the Camaro crashed the car and left the scene.

Residents near the crash site said the sound made them think it was something other than a crash.

"It sounded like a loud bang, we didn't know if it was gunshots," said Jackson Keener, a resident near the accident. "We popped up, we could see through the tree line, we weren't sure it was an accident."

Ortiz died at the scene, police said. A woman and child from the Traverse were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Another resident said the crash was shocking, but could have been prevented.

"It is horrifying and really sad because it's preventable," said Ashley Johnson, another resident. "It is awful for the individuals that were part of it."

The three-car collision occurred before 4:30 a.m. on March 7.

Atlantic Avenue was closed for hours between Six Forks Road and Highwoods Boulevard due to the ongoing investigation. The road reopened around 11 a.m.

Sky 5 flew over the scene at 8:15 a.m. The road was still closed, and all three cars involved were badly damaged.