Teen killed in Durham Freeway crash. 2nd teen charged with impaired driving.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Durham crash early Saturday on N.C. 147 Exit 3B killed an 18-year-old passenger.
- Driver Samuel Salinas-Salinas, 19, charged with felony death and impaired driving.
- Police say Suburban sped, struck F-150, overturned and ejected the victim.
A teenager was killed and another teenager has been arrested in a fatal weekend crash, Durham police said Monday.
Police were called to Exit 3B of N.C. 147 about 4 a.m. Saturday after a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban hit a 2006 Ford F-150 and overturned, according to a news release.
Samuel Salinas-Salinas, 19, of Asheboro was driving the Suburban, which was speeding northbound on the highway when it struck the truck as it was about to take the exit, the release stated.
The Suburban then hit the guardrail and flipped several times, ejecting Josh Adolfo Rodriguez-Higinio, 18, of Asheboro from his seat in the third row, according to the release. He was pronounced dead at Duke University Medical Center.
Salinas-Salinas is charged with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired and driving after consuming alcohol while being under the age of 21. He posted a $50,000 secured bond Saturday.
Police would not say how fast the Suburban was going or how many passengers were in the SUV. No one else was injured in the crash, according to a spokesperson.
Salinas-Salinas’ blood alcohol content was 0.17 at the hospital, more than twice the legal limit for people 21 and older, according to a search warrant. He also allegedly admitted to police that he was drinking before the crash, and officers reported the smell of alcohol at the scene.
A GoFundMe for Rodriguez-Higinio’s family had raised just over half its $14,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.
The teen graduated from high school in June and planned to become a welder, according to the fundraiser.
“He would tell jokes to make everyone laugh,” the GoFundMe states. “Josh also loved cars and everything to do with them, as he constantly worked on his Z.”
He is survived by his parents, older sister, niece and nephew.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Investigator J.W. Lanier at 919-560-4935 ext. 29447.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Teen killed in Durham Freeway crash. 2nd teen charged with impaired driving.."
