Party bus driver faces DWI charge after plowing into Raleigh home in Oakwood historic neighborhood: Police

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A man is facing a DWI charge after a party bus crashed into a car, utility pole, and then plowed into a 100-year-old home in a historic neighborhood near downtown Raleigh early Saturday morning, police and fire officials said.

Read more To the GOP, he’s a sham candidate. At home, he’s Mr. Sullivan, ex-teacher and Alaska Senate hopeful

The incident was reported around 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Pace Street near North Person Street in the Oakwood neighborhood, according to the Raleigh Police Department.

The man driving the bus, who was the only person on the bus at the time, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, police said.

No one else was injured in the wreck a block north of East Peace Street, according to police. The damaged home was marked unsafe for occupancy after the crash, according to the Raleigh Fire Department.

Read more As gas plants rise to power AI, renewable energy allies are fighting for cleaner alternatives

Video from the scene showed major damage to the front of the home, with the entire front of the bus demolishing the front porch. The top of the bus also struck the porch ceiling and nearly collided with the front door of the home, which property records indicate was built in 1920.

Gary Fidell Kearse, 58, of Raleigh, was charged with DWI commercial vehicle after crashing into the home at 215 Pace St., according to an arrest warrant completed by Raleigh police.

The warrant said Kearse was driving after his license was revoked in connection with impaired driving. He was also charged with reckless driving to endanger after police accused him of failing to use “due caution,” the warrant said.

Read more 2nd juvenile arrested in July 4th Raleigh ‘teen takeovers’; teen accused in Brier Creek shooting: Police

Arrest records indicate other charges and citations against Kearse include:

• Felony injuring utility wires/fixture
• Injury to real property
• Failure to maintain lane control
• Possession of an open container of alcohol

Raleigh police did not provide any other information about the crash.