Local News
Michael Graham Killed After High-Speed Mercedes Crash Into Downtown Raleigh Building
RALEIGH, N.C. — A 36-year-old man was killed early Saturday morning after the Mercedes he was driving at a high rate of speed crashed into a parked vehicle before slamming into a downtown Raleigh building, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Authorities identified the driver as Michael Graham, 36, who died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.
According to Raleigh police, the crash occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. Saturday in the 300 block of West Martin Street in downtown Raleigh.
The preliminary investigation found that Graham was speeding while driving a Mercedes westbound on West Martin Street when he struck a parked vehicle near 300 W. Martin Street.
After the initial collision, the Mercedes continued off the roadway, drove onto the sidewalk, and crashed into a building located at 320 W. Martin Street, near the intersection with South Harrington Street.
The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle and the building.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash and found Graham with fatal injuries.
Police said Graham was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported, and officials said the parked vehicle was unoccupied when it was struck.
Following the crash, authorities closed West Martin Street between South Harrington Street and Dawson Street from approximately 3:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. while investigators processed the scene and crews cleared the wreckage.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Investigators are examining all factors that may have contributed to the collision, though speed has been identified as a primary factor.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airport’s fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emge’s contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.