Sandra Marie Moore Obituary, Death – New details have emerged about a tragic crash in Durham County, North Carolina, that claimed the lives of three people on Easter Sunday. The crash was the result of a high-speed police pursuit after a report of gunfire involving two vehicles.
According to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began just before 6:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday when deputies received a report about individuals firing gunshots from two vehicles—a white Audi and a black Infiniti—on Ball Road in northern Durham County. Authorities responded quickly and spotted vehicles matching the description parked at a convenience store on Roxboro Street.
When a deputy approached the parking lot, the vehicles took off. The deputy attempted to stop the black Infiniti, identified as a 2003 model, but quickly lost visual contact as the suspects sped away.
Roughly seven minutes later, the fleeing Infiniti was traveling southbound on U.S. 501 when it crossed the center line near the intersection with Latta Road and Roxboro Street. The vehicle collided head-on with a northbound Honda CR-V driven by 65-year-old Sandra Marie Moore of Bahama, North Carolina. After the initial collision, the Infiniti continued forward and hit a Lincoln Navigator, which was also heading north.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) reported that the two people in the suspect vehicle were thrown from the Infiniti due to the impact. Neither of them was wearing a seatbelt. The passenger, identified as Mercedes Toledo-Goss, and the unidentified driver were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Sandra Moore, the driver of the Honda CR-V, also died at the scene as a result of the head-on collision. She was not involved in the initial police pursuit and is considered an innocent victim in the tragic event.
Emergency crews responded quickly, but the severity of the crash left no chance for survival for the three individuals. The driver of the Lincoln Navigator was not reported to be seriously injured.
According to radio dispatch audio, law enforcement had been tracking reports of a group of teenagers firing guns into the air in the Ball Road area. Witnesses described the vehicles leaving the scene at extreme speeds—estimated at over 120 miles per hour—before the deadly collision occurred.
The crash left the local community in shock. Residents near the crash site expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the events that unfolded on what should have been a peaceful holiday. Many gathered near the scene, some praying beside a small memorial of flowers that had been placed along North Roxboro Street in honor of the victims.
Taylor Wells, a witness to the crash, described the scene as “surreal.” “I saw the car coming and then just the explosion,” he said. “It was a tremendous noise. I pulled over but felt like I had to get out of there quickly. It was a chaotic and horrifying moment.”
The family of Sandra Moore is now grieving an unexpected and senseless loss. CBS 17 spoke with one of her relatives, who expressed a desire for more information about the individuals responsible for the original gunfire report. The family member also asked that authorities locate and hold accountable those suspects who fled and remain at large.
Law enforcement agencies, including the NCSHP and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, continue to investigate both the crash and the gunfire incident that preceded it. The names of the other individuals believed to be involved in the Ball Road shooting have not yet been released, and no arrests have been announced in connection with that part of the case.
Officials say this tragedy is yet another reminder of the dangers that come with fleeing from law enforcement and engaging in reckless behavior. The pursuit, though not lengthy, ended in a catastrophic crash that cost the lives of two suspects and an innocent driver.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the gunfire incident or the other individuals involved to come forward. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence as they try to piece together the full timeline of events.
Community members and local leaders have also spoken out about the growing concerns related to youth violence and reckless driving. They are calling for increased awareness, intervention, and preventive measures to address the troubling patterns of behavior that can lead to devastating consequences.
As Durham County mourns the loss of life on what should have been a joyful holiday, the investigation continues. For now, the community is left grappling with grief, frustration, and the hope that justice will be served for those affected by this heartbreaking incident.
