Durham County, North Carolina – Brijette Basden, 24, of Kernersville, died in a fatal early-morning automobile accident on Sunday, October 19, 2025, when her vehicle was struck on westbound Interstate 40 near Page Road in Durham County.
Authorities responded to the crash site around 4:45 a.m., discovering Basden’s Ford Fusion partially stopped on the far-left shoulder of the interstate. Her sister, standing nearby, sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by other vehicles involved in the collision.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Basden had pulled over to switch driving duties with her sister. The vehicle was left partly in a travel lane when a 2003 Toyota Camry traveling in the far-left lane collided with the Fusion, then drifted and struck a 2021 Toyota Camry.
The force of the impact proved fatal for Basden, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries including a broken foot. No additional serious injuries were immediately reported.
Durham County deputies closed the westbound lanes of I-40 for several hours while crash investigators and forensic teams collected evidence, reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses at the scene.
As of now, no charges have been filed. Investigators with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office continue to seek public assistance for any information regarding the vehicles involved, speed, and exact events leading up to the crash.
Friends and family describe Basden as a vibrant young woman whose life was filled with promise and ambition. The tragedy has deeply impacted both the Kernersville community and the broader region, as loved ones come to terms with her sudden departure.
Community support has begun to pour in, with neighbors leaving flowers and tributes near the crash site and online memorials being shared calling for remembrance and road-safety awareness in her name.
Traffic-safety specialists point out that this accident underscores the extreme danger of stopped or disabled vehicles on high-speed roadways, particularly in travel lanes. They emphasize that regardless of reason for pulling over, remaining inside the car with hazard lights on and moving it fully off the road is crucial.
As Durham County mourns the loss of Brijette Basden, investigations are expected to continue through forensic analysis, vehicle inspections and review of crash-data recorders. Meanwhile, her family and community are left grappling with grief and searching for answers in the wake of a life cut tragically short.