Marine Faces Charges After Fatal Interstate Crash in North Carolina

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A tragic highway collision in North Carolina has left one Marine dead and another facing serious criminal charges following a high-speed crash on Interstate 40.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), the deadly accident occurred Thursday evening on the westbound side of I-40 near mile marker 287, when a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Diego Andres Martinez Duque, a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, lost control after a series of dangerous maneuvers on the highway.

Troopers reported that Duque’s Honda was traveling at an excessive speed when he made an unsafe lane change, slamming into a nearby Mercedes-Benz. The impact forced Duque’s car off balance, crashing into a guardrail. But the chain of collisions didn’t stop there. Authorities say the Honda struck an unoccupied Ford pickup truck parked on the median, veered back onto the interstate, and collided with a Ford Focus before finally coming to rest.

Inside the Honda with Duque was fellow Marine Jesus Alexander Colin, who was critically injured in the crash. Emergency crews rushed him to Duke Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead from his injuries. Colin was originally from California and was also stationed at Camp Lejeune.

Duque, who survived the crash, now faces multiple charges, including misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, and unsafe lane change. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol emphasized that the investigation is ongoing but noted the preliminary evidence points to speed and aggressive driving as the primary factors.

According to state troopers, no other injuries were reported from the additional vehicles involved in the wreck. The Mercedes-Benz and Ford Focus drivers were evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.

Misdemeanor death by motor vehicle in North Carolina involves causing the death of another person through the commission of a traffic violation, but without gross negligence or intent to kill. It’s a serious charge that can carry jail time and have long-term consequences for the driver’s military and civilian future.

Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the incident or whether alcohol or other substances played any role. Toxicology results are pending, and further charges could be considered as the investigation develops.

Camp Lejeune, located on the eastern coast of North Carolina, is one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States. The base has not commented on the incident as of Monday, but military officials are reportedly aware and cooperating with local authorities.

Duque is expected to appear in court later this month. The case remains under active investigation by the NCSHP.