The crash happened Saturday night on NC 87 near Frank Wicker Road in Lee County.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said 32-year-old Davis Anugo was driving south on the highway when the driver of a GMC Yukon crossed over the center line and hit Anugo head-on.
Anugo died in the crash. He was an ophthalmologist at UNC's School of Medicine in his final year of residency. He had degrees from Binghamton University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
"It's just a real tragedy. He was a great doctor and good person," co-worker Jessica Paschall said. "He was so sweet -- always willing to teach. Whatever we needed help with he was always willing to teach us what we needed to do."
UNC Health said Anugo would have finished his residency in June.
Faculty staff and residents in ophthalmology were notified of the tragedy Sunday. On Monday, they held a meeting to mourn and discuss resources available to anyone needing them.
The driver and passenger of the Yukon were taken to the hospital with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers are still investigating what caused the Yukon to cross the center line. No charges have been filed.