Father killed when driver speeds away from traffic stop in Durham: 'His children were his life'

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- An 18-year-old driver is facing numerous charges after an attempted traffic stop ended in a deadly vehicle crash Thursday night in Durham County.

Around 11 p.m., a Durham County Sheriff's Office deputy saw two drivers allegedly street racing in the area of Carpenter Fletcher Road and NC 55. The deputy tried to pull over the vehicles, but one of them -- a Ford pickup truck -- turned off its lights and sped away, the sheriff's office said.

The driver in the pickup ran a red light at the intersection of NC 55 and Riddle Road and collided with a driver in a Dodge Charger, NCSHP said.

That driver died at the scene, and the passenger of the vehicle was taken to a hospital with injuries, troopers confirmed.

His family has identified him to ABC11 as Jamal Parker.

The family also told ABC11 that Parker just celebrated his 36th birthday this week. "They say 'Jamal' was a devoted father and he had a good heart.

He loved his children, and they were his life. He was always smiling and wanted those who were close to him to be happy as well.

His family says Jamal would help those in need, even if it was his last."

The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Kevin Alejandro Ruiz Gomez, 18, of Durham, NC, was taken into custody. He was also taken to a hospital with injuries.

After his release from the hospital, Ruiz Gomez was charged with the following:

• Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury

• Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle

• Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle

• Speed Competition

• Failure to Heed Lights or Siren

• Reckless Driving - Wanton Disregard

• Driving While License Revoked

• Driving Left of Center

• Failure to Burn Headlamps

• Failure to Stop for a Steady Red Light

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff's office.

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The crash caused damage to power lines at the scene, resulting in the closure of the intersection for hours.