Deadly fiery crash temporarily closes Aviation Parkway in Wake County: Officials

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Emergency responders are on the scene of a serious crash that resulted in a vehicle catching on fire and a busy road to close Sunday in Wake County. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash around 5:30 a.m. on Aviation Parkway and Lake Crabtree Park. A spokesperson with State Highway Patrol told CBS 17 that a man was driving a minivan southbound on Aviation Parkway when he struck a light pole and flipped. Troopers said the vehicle then burst into flames. Troopers confirmed that the man was dead upon emergency responder's arrival. CBS 17 was on the scene where State Highway troopers, Morrisville Fire and Rescue and Wake County EMS were gathered along Aviation Parkway working to clear the scene. Troopers were investigating what caused the vehicle to flip on its top and burst into flames. Our crew saw the tow truck on scene winching the vehicle — charred and smashed in the front — to prepare it to be towed away. Debris was scattered across the intersection, and the traffic light appeared to be malfunctioning. The Department of Transportation sent out an alert notifying the public that Aviation Parkway will be closed until around 10:30 a.m. due to this crash, where our crew saw a body being taken away from the charred vehicle. However, the road ended up reopening just after 9 a.m.