Drunken Driving Suspected In Fatal Raleigh Crash

Raleigh police say they suspect that a 27-year-old woman had been drinking prior to rear-ending another car stopped at a red light on March 13, resulting in a 24-year-old man suffering fatal personal injuries.

According to police, a 2006 Toyota Scion was stopped on Six Forks Road at the intersection with Sawmill Road in Raleigh at approximately 4:45 a.m. when a 2007 Mazda 3 sedan hit it from behind. The wreck report indicates that the Mazda was traveling at a rate of speed of 45 mph and did not slow down prior to impact.

The impact caused the Toyota to travel 170 feet down the road and the Mazda ended up between two trees on the left side of the road.

Charlotte resident John Michael Sullivan was pinned in the back seat of the Toyota. The injuries he suffered were fatal.

The driver of the Mazda, Raleigh resident Manuela Gomez, suffered serious injuries in the crash and received transport to WakeMed.

Two other occupants of the Toyota, 25-year-old Raleigh resident Daniel Joseph Pappert and 24-year-old Raleigh resident Daniel Tyler Kleckner, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Kleckner was listed in good condition at the hospital later that afternoon. Pappert was released after undergoing treatment.

Upon Gomez’s release from the hospital, police plan to charge her with DWI and felony death by motor vehicle. Alcohol testing results are pending.

According to the wreck report, Pappert’s blood-alcohol content was 0.01. Police saw no evidence of him being impaired behind the wheel and will not file charges against him.

According to Wake County jail officials, Gomez has a 2005 charge of possession with intent to sell cocaine and marijuana. However, Department of Corrections records show no prior criminal history.