Moped Rider Killed in Tragic Raleigh Crash

A tragic collision on Hammond Road in Raleigh resulted in the death of 52-year-old Michael Capers, who was riding his moped. The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. on a Tuesday when the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee rear-ended Capers. Police reported that Capers was ejected from his moped and subsequently run over by the Jeep. His friends, Monica Jones and Salenia Hawkins, expressed profound grief at the crash site, remembering Capers as a kind and cautious individual.

Gabriela Ortiz, the 35-year-old driver of the Jeep, has been charged with driving without a license, failure to reduce speed, and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Court documents revealed that Ortiz had recently received a citation in Raleigh for driving without a license and running a red light. Capers, known for his careful approach to riding, always wore a helmet and vest. His friends recalled his plans to attend church, a wish that sadly went unfulfilled.

Capers worked at a Chick-fil-A in Garner, where he was remembered as an exceptional employee and friend. He was reportedly only two miles into his ride home from work when the accident happened. The crash site on Hammond Road has seen four accidents in the past six months, raising concerns about its safety. Funeral arrangements for Michael Capers have not yet been announced, leaving his loved ones to cherish his memory.