Full Breakdown
Raleigh Party Bus Crash Leaves Driver Injured and House Damaged
7/12/2026, 3:56:57 AM
Core Incident
In the early hours of Saturday, July 2026, a party bus operated by 58-year-old Gary Fidell Kearse III collided with three parked vehicles, a utility pole, and then the front of a house at the intersection of Person Street and Pace Street in Raleigh. The crash occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m., according to Raleigh police. No passengers were aboard; the house’s former occupants had recently moved out. One person—Kearse—was taken to WakeMed with non-life-threatening injuries.
Background & Legal History
Kearse was already on pre-trial release for an April 24 DWI on Tryon Road, during which a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.23 was recorded. He was ordered to surrender his driver’s license by June 14 and refrain from driving for at least 30 days. On June 27, he faced a separate hit-and-run citation, driving with a revoked license and without liability insurance. Court records show he had previously been arrested for a hit-and-run on June 27 2026 and was out on bond for two pending charges, including the earlier DWI.
Official Responses
Raleigh Police Department classified the vehicle as a “non-school-affiliated activity bus” and charged Kearse with seven offenses: DWI in a commercial vehicle, driving while his license was revoked, reckless driving to endanger, two counts of injury to real property, felony injury to utility wires, and possession of an open alcohol container. The department noted that the investigation remains ongoing and that Kearse is being held without bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Criticism & Public Concern
The driver’s own Facebook page, “Igotcha Transportation,” lists the tagline “YOU DRINK I DRIVE,” underscoring public alarm over his repeated alcohol-related offenses and the apparent disregard for safety. Community members have expressed unease that a driver with a history of impaired driving was allowed to operate a commercial passenger vehicle.
Verbatim Quotes
- “without due caution” — arrest warrant
- “at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger persons or property.” — arrest warrant
- “non-school-affiliated activity bus.” — Raleigh Police Department statement
- “YOU DRINK I DRIVE.” — Igotcha Transportation Facebook page
