Car driver charged in deadly Raleigh shuttle bus crash was reported missing by family, Silver Alert issued: Officials

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Silver Alert had been issued for the man accused of causing a deadly shuttle bus crash near Raleigh-Durham International Airport over the Fourth of July weekend before charges against him were announced, officials said.

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According to the Raleigh Police Department, 70-year-old Barry Wayne Hayes was driving south down the ramp from Glenwood Avenue around 3 p.m. on Sunday when he ran a red light and struck a Fast Park shuttle going west towards the airport, causing the bus to roll and flip.

The crash killed two passengers on the bus, husband and wife Scott and Jennifer Christofferson. Two more passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including the Christoffersons’ juvenile child, according to Raleigh police.

On Monday, just after 10 a.m., Raleigh police announced Hayes would face charges in connection with the incident, including two counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of death by motor vehicle, and not having a driver’s license.

Earlier that morning, just before 1 a.m., the Erwin Police Department issued a Silver Alert for Hayes.

According to Erwin police, Hayes’ family reported him missing on Sunday around 9:20 a.m., the night after the deadly crash.

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The family said Hayes was staying with them in Erwin for a short time, but after they went out of town, they returned home to discover Hayes was missing. They also learned one of their vehicles was missing, according to Erwin police.

Hayes’ family said he has a cognitive impairment, prompting police to issue the Silver Alert.

After Erwin and Raleigh police were able to confirm the man involved in the bus crash was the same Barry Hayes reported missing, officials said the Silver Alert was canceled just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

As of Tuesday morning, records do not show if Hayes has been served warrants in connection to the crash. Hayes was still recovering from his injuries when police announced charges against him.

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CBS 17 has reached out to Raleigh police for more information about the case.