North Carolina state trooper killed in wrong-way crash
Trooper Steven J. Perry (Photo courtesy of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol)
A North Carolina state trooper was killed after he was struck by a wrong-way driver over the weekend.
A North Carolina State Highway Patrol spokesperson told WNCN-TV in North Carolina that Trooper Steven J. Perry was on duty on March 1 when he was hit by a wrong-way driver on the Durham Freeway.
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The agency said Perry, 30, and the other driver, identified as Melshawn Moore, 39, died as a result of the crash, according to WRAL-TV in North Carolina.
Citing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, WRAL reported that impairment might have caused Moore to strike Perry’s car. Court documents obtained by the news outlet noted that Moore was previously convicted in three separate DWI cases.
North Carolina Highway State Patrol shares a post about Trooper Perry
What they're saying:
The North Carolina Highway State Patrol posted a message on X about Trooper Steve Perry, who served in his role for seven years, writing: "@NCSHP is deeply saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of Master Trooper Steven J. Perry in Durham County on March 1, 2026."
North Carolina Central University shares Trooper Perry post
The other side:
North Carolina Central University offered their condolences to Perry, who was a former offensive lineman on the football team.
"With heavy hearts, North Carolina Central University remembers former football student-athlete Steven Perry. Sending strength, comfort, and our sincere condolences to Trooper Perry’s family and friends."
According to North Carolina Central University, Perry lettered as an offensive lineman for three seasons with the team from 2014-17. He played 30 games during his collegiate career, including starting in all 11 games his senior season in 2017.
Perry went on to graduate in 2018 with a degree in criminal justice and later joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by WNCN-TV, WRAL-TV, the North Carolina Highway State Highway Patrol, and North Carolina Central University. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.