Zebulon, NC (September 05, 2026) - According to local news reports and North Carolina State Highway Patrol statements, a child died and three passengers suffered serious injuries when an SUV struck a tree early Saturday morning in eastern Wake County. Troopers said the driver left the scene and was located later that morning.

The crash happened around 1:15 a.m. on NC-96 near Doyle Road, north of Zebulon. Authorities said Correll Jermaine Deans, 40, of Spring Hope in Nash County, was driving a 2017 Ford Escape south when it crossed left of the centerline, left the roadway to the left, and struck a tree.

Five people were inside the SUV, including Deans, one adult passenger, and three children. Miking Daniel died at the scene. Initial reports identified him as 10 years old, while a later court report listed his age as 11.

Fenesia De Andre Daniel, 35, of Rocky Mount, and two children, Christopher Daniel, 7, and Onyx Daniel, 4, were taken to WakeMed with serious injuries. Deans also sustained injuries and was taken to WakeMed after authorities located him.

Troopers found Deans later Saturday morning with assistance from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities charged him with three counts of felony hit and run involving serious injury, two counts of misdemeanor child abuse, misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving left of center, and two counts of failure to secure a passenger under 16. A later report described the felony hit and run counts as involving serious injury or death. According to warrants cited in local reporting, two children were not wearing seat belts when the crash occurred.

Deans was also served with an outstanding Nash County warrant for felony possession of heroin and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Those pending charges were reported separately from the crash charges.

Initial reports stated that Deans was taken to the Wake Detention Center and held without bond. A subsequent report covering his Tuesday court appearance said he was being held at the Wake County Jail on a $1 million bond. The court appointed a public defender, and his case was continued to September 28. Highway Patrol officials said additional charges remained possible as the investigation continued.

Relatives confirmed that Miking attended Benvenue Elementary School in Rocky Mount. Former teachers shared memories of him on social media Sunday. Dollie Mae Harrison Borum remembered him as respectful and recalled the smiles he brought to her classroom. Lindsay Jones, who said she taught him the previous year, remembered his kindness and expressed sorrow over his death.

How Investigators Review Serious Car Accidents Near Zebulon

A collision involving a child’s death and serious passenger injuries can leave families facing several processes while hospital care and the investigation continue. Reviewing a crash generally involves organizing the available records and establishing the sequence of events. Scene photographs, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and witness accounts may help explain how a vehicle left the road.

In a car accident investigation, accounts from occupants and witnesses may provide different pieces of the same timeline. Investigators may compare those accounts with physical evidence before reaching conclusions, while families seeking to hire a car crash law firm may have separate questions about the documents needed for an insurance review.

Accident reconstruction may help address unresolved questions about a vehicle’s movement or point of impact. Insurance reviews can also involve medical records, coverage information, and documentation of expenses. Keeping these materials organized helps families distinguish confirmed information from questions that remain under review.

Preparing for Insurance Questions After a Car Accident in Zebulon, NC

As information becomes available, families may need to bring together hospital records, insurance correspondence, and details about expenses following a serious car accident. Sorting through those materials while coping with injuries or a loss can be difficult. Preparing for settlement discussions and possible litigation involves reviewing the evidence, documenting the reported losses, and identifying questions that need further investigation.

At Rosensteel Fleishman, we help families understand how those records relate to their insurance and legal questions. Our firm reviews the circumstances and available documentation so that discussions about possible next steps are grounded in the facts of the individual case.