Full Breakdown
Fatal Crash on NC 96 Leaves One Child Dead and Three Injured
9/6/2026, 11:25:11 PM
Who Was Involved
Early Saturday morning a 2017 Ford Escape SUV traveling south on NC 96 near Doyle Road left the roadway, struck a tree, and came to rest on the left side of the road. The North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCSHP) identified five occupants: driver Correll Jermaine Deans, 40; passenger Fenesia De Andre Daniel, 35; and three children—Miking Daniel, 10 (deceased), Christopher Daniel, 7, and Onyx Daniel, 4. All three children were reported as not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
After the collision, Deans abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Troopers later located him with assistance from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and transported him to WakeMed for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The NCSHP has charged Deans with:
- Three counts of felony hit-and-run causing serious injury or death
- Two counts of misdemeanor child abuse
- One count of misdemeanor death by vehicle
- Two counts of failure to secure a passenger under 16
- A driving infraction for operating left of center on a single-lane road
In addition, an outstanding warrant from Nash County adds felony possession of heroin and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia. Deans is being held at the Wake County Detention Center without bond, and officials indicated that additional charges may follow. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Injuries and Safety Issues
The crash resulted in the death of 10-year-old Miking Daniel at the scene. Fenesia Daniel, Christopher Daniel, and Onyx Daniel were transported to hospitals with serious injuries. The NCSHP noted that the lack of seatbelt use by the two younger children contributed to the severity of their injuries.
Official Response
State troopers emphasized that the combination of reckless driving—drifting left of center and leaving the roadway—followed by the driver’s failure to remain at the scene, prompted the extensive criminal filing. Highway Patrol officials also highlighted the importance of seatbelt compliance for child passengers, noting that the investigation revealed two children were unsecured at the time of impact. The agency indicated that the case will continue to be examined for any further violations.
