Durham, NC (August 07, 2026) - According to local news reports and statements from law enforcement, Durham Assistant Police Chief Raul Garcia was cited following an alleged hit-and-run collision on eastbound NC-540 near US-1 in southern Wake County. Reports differed on the time of the collision. One described it as occurring early Friday, while documents cited by another placed the crash at approximately 4:53 p.m.

A North Carolina State Highway Patrol collision report alleges that Garcia’s vehicle moved into an adjacent lane and sideswiped a Honda Accord before continuing from the scene. No serious injuries were reported. Garcia was driving a vehicle owned by the City of Durham and registered to the Durham City Hall address. The collision report also listed Durham City Hall as Garcia’s address.

The citation alleges that Garcia knew or reasonably should have known that his vehicle was involved in the collision. Reported offenses included hit and run, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failing to report the collision, failing to provide identifying and vehicle information, and failing to maintain control within a marked lane.

A state trooper located Garcia at his home in Apex on Saturday. Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said Garcia was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, describing the action as standard protocol. Williams also requested that city staff provide available information so he could keep the public informed.

The Durham Police Department said it was aware of the allegations but directed questions about the collision to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which is conducting the investigation. The department did not provide additional details about responsibility for damage to the city-owned vehicle. Attempts by a news crew to reach Garcia and the owner of the Honda Accord were unsuccessful.

Dr. Roy Taylor, a police procedure expert, said drivers involved in a collision are generally expected to stop in a safe location and contact law enforcement. He also explained that police departments commonly conduct separate administrative reviews when an officer is involved in an incident. Burns Shaver, a Durham resident interviewed about the case, said the allegations warranted an investigation. The Highway Patrol investigation remained ongoing at the time of the latest reports.

How Hit And Run Investigations Are Reviewed

A reported collision can raise separate questions about what happened on the road, whether required information was exchanged, and what occurred after the vehicles made contact. Investigators may compare vehicle damage, roadway evidence, witness accounts, traffic footage, dispatch records, and statements from the drivers before reaching conclusions.

In a car accident involving allegations that a driver left the scene, the police report often becomes an important starting point for later insurance discussions. Reviewing with a auto accident attorney can help explain why investigators examine both the cause of the initial contact and the actions each driver took afterward.

Accident reconstruction may help resolve conflicting descriptions of lane movement or impact location. When injuries are reported, medical records can also document when symptoms appeared, what treatment was provided, and how the collision affected the person’s daily activities.

What Durham Residents Can Do After a Hit And Run

After a hit-and-run crash, keeping police reports, medical records, repair estimates, photographs, and insurance correspondence organized can make later questions easier to address. Structured communication also helps prevent disagreements about what was reported, when notice was provided, and which expenses remain unresolved. At Rosensteel Fleishman law firm, we help people review accident records and understand how North Carolina procedures may apply to their circumstances. Attorney Corey Rosensteel has described that role this way: “Our role is to give people clarity in moments of chaos. The law should be a source of support, not another problem to solve.”