Three killed in fiery I-87 crash near Knightdale

A crash on Interstate 87 (the Knightdale Bypass) closed lanes of the highway and backed up traffic headed eastbound from Raleigh for miles Tuesday morning.

Posted 3:09 p.m. Jul 21, 2020 — Updated 11:47 p.m. Jul 21, 2020

Bryan Mims

, WRAL reporter

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — Three people were killed Tuesday morning in a crash on Interstate 87, commonly known as the Knightdale Bypass, that closed lanes of the highway and backed up traffic headed eastbound from Raleigh for miles.

Trooper S.D. Parrish a Honda Accord southbound on I-87 at a high rate of speed, crossed the median and struck a Dodge Dart before bursting into flames.

The driver of the Accord, Tre’shon Pope, 19, of Washington, N.C., and a passenger whose identify hadn't been confirmed Tuesday evening, were killed in the collision. The driver of the Dart, Yameer Greene, 26, of Knightdale, also was killed.

Charles Woodard said he noticed a car going about 100 mph toward Raleigh, and the driver was weaving in and out of traffic before crossing the median.

"I wanted to cry," Woodard said, noting he was shaken by the crash.

All northbound lanes of I-87 were closed for the crash investigation, and some southbound lanes were temporarily closed to allow access for emergency vehicles. Law enforcement officers on the scene were allowing some of those trapped in the backup to make a U-turn onto I-87 South to get out of the mess.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. the crash scene was clear, and northbound lanes between the Interstate 440 exit and Hodge Road reopened.

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