Durham teen gets $1.5 million bail in deadly crash. Here’s what we know
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- A judge set $1.5 million secured bail for an 18-year-old accused in a fatal crash.
- Prosecutors charged the teen with multiple felonies including fleeing arrest and assault.
- The victim was identified as Jamal Parker, 36, of Durham.
A Durham teenager’s bail was set at $1.5 million secured Monday in a fatal crash that officials say followed street racing.
Kevin Alejandro Ruiz Gomez, 18, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, misdemeanor death by vehicle, speed competition, failure to heed lights or siren, reckless driving with wanton disregard, driving while license revoked, driving left of center, failure to burn headlamps and failure to stop for a steady red light, court records show.
Secured bail means Gomez must use money or property to guarantee he will continue to appear in court if he is released. If he posts bond and fails to appear for a court date, he would lose that money or property.
Gomez was behind the wheel of a Ford pickup truck about 11:15 p.m. Friday when a Durham County Sheriff’s Office deputy tried to stop the truck and a light gray Chevrolet Corvette, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputy reportedly saw the truck and Corvette racing in the area of N.C. 55 and Carpenter Fletcher Road, court documents state.
When the deputy tried to stop the vehicles, the driver of the truck allegedly turned off its lights and sped off, The News & Observer previously reported. Fifteen minutes later, the State Highway Patrol was called to a crash just under four miles down the road; the truck had allegedly run a red light, striking a Dodge Charger.
Jamal Parker, 36, who was driving the Charger, died at the scene, according to court documents. His passenger was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Gomez was arrested after being released from the hospital Friday, officials said.
Court records show Gomez has a pending infraction in Stokes County from May, as The N&O previously reported. Gomez was allegedly speeding 95 mph in a 65 mph zone when a state trooper stopped him, according to the citation. His license was suspended at that time and his tags were expired, the citation alleges.
Gomez was called twice to appear in court on that infraction but didn’t show, according to court records.
If he posts bond, Gomez may not contact the surviving victim, his release order states. He’s next set to appear in court later this month.
A Gofundme for Parker’s family had raised $445 of its $5,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.
“Jamal was more than a headline — he was a father, a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend, and a bright spirit whose life was cut far too short,” the fundraiser states. “He had dreams, hopes, and a big heart. He brought light to those around him, and his absence leaves a deep void in our lives.”
Parker’s family could not be reached for comment Monday.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Durham teen gets $1.5 million bail in deadly crash. Here’s what we know."
