Late Thursday evening in Durham, 18‑year‑old Iazias Davis left his mother’s side and walked out onto the 3700 block of Guess Road in north Durham, heading across the right‑hand lane, when in one awful instant a south‑bound 2017 Honda Accord struck him at around 6:46 p.m. on November 13. He was rushed to hospital, but the injuries he sustained proved fatal.
The driver, identified as 29‑year‑old Ebony Donald of Morrisville, is now facing charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving with wanton disregard, speeding, and two counts of misdemeanor child abuse. A juvenile passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and also required hospital treatment.
According to the Durham Police Department, the pedestrian struck was attempting to cross Guess Road when the Honda Accord entered the right‑hand lane and collided with him. The incident closed a section of the south‑bound lanes between Horton Road and Peppertree Street so that crash‑investigators could gather evidence.
The family of Iazias is left with both grief and questions. Why did such a routine crossing turn into a fatal accident? What led the driver to be traveling at the moment of impact? These questions now play out in the investigation, which has moved from “no charges filed” to a full criminal case. Earlier reports had indicated that charges had not yet been filed, but later updates show Donald has been formally charged.
One of the more troubling details: the presence of a juvenile passenger in the vehicle adds another layer of sorrow and concern. The driver’s indictment for child abuse stems from the fact that a minor was in the car and suffered injury. Meanwhile, Davis’s friends remember him as a young man excited about life, hoping to build a future — and now that future has been stripped away in a blink. He had just 18 years of life and endless possibility ahead of him.
Traffic safety advocates say this kind of crash underscores a broader issue: busy arterials like Guess Road are hazardous for pedestrians, especially in dimming light or when visibility is impaired. The community calls for improved crosswalks, better lighting and slower speeds. In this incident, the right‑hand lane travel and the moment of crossing combined with what appears to be excessive speed to create a devastating outcome.
A hearing date for Donald’s case has not yet been announced, and investigators continue to piece together the exact sequence of events — whether distraction, speed, inattention or other contributing factors played a role. In the meantime, the Davis family and the Durham community mourn a life ended too soon, and confront the reality of a road that remains deadly for those trying to simply get from one side to the other.
