Raleigh Man Charged After Wrong Way Crash Hits Police Cruiser

A crash on New Hope Road on November 11, 2025 left a Raleigh police officer injured and a 20 year old man facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Police said the officer reported significant pain and swelling in his left arm and wrist after the cruiser was struck head on. The driver, identified in court records as Izayaih Xzayvin Cooper of Raleigh, was arrested and charged with felony hit and run causing injury and felony serious injury by vehicle.

Court records allege Cooper fled to elude arrest on Louisburg Road and exceeded the speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour while trying to avoid being stopped. He was also charged with driving while impaired, operating with no insurance, driving while license revoked, expired registration, failure to stop at a red light and reckless driving to endanger. Cooper was due in court following the arrest and the investigation remains ongoing.

The immediate public safety implications are clear. An officer on duty suffered injuries and the incident involved driving the wrong way on a public road, a scenario that substantially increases the risk of serious or fatal collisions. For Wake County residents, the case underscores everyday traffic risks and the potential consequences of impaired or unlicensed driving on busier arterial routes. New Hope Road and Louisburg Road are corridors used by commuters, students and local businesses, and residents can expect questions about enforcement and roadway safety in the weeks ahead.

The incident also touches on institutional questions within law enforcement and local government. Police pursuit policies, officer training on approach and traffic stops, and protocols for responding to wrong way drivers are matters for departmental review after any crash that injures an officer. County and city leaders who oversee public safety budgets and priorities will need clear information from the ongoing investigation to assess whether changes in equipment, training or community outreach are warranted.

On the policy side, the mix of charges in this case highlights persistent challenges in reducing impaired driving and ensuring compliance with licensing and insurance requirements. Enforcement and preventive measures such as public education, visible traffic patrols and targeted traffic safety campaigns are among the tools local officials use to reduce similar incidents. Residents concerned about traffic safety and police accountability can raise those concerns at municipal meetings and through their elected representatives.

As the case moves through the court system, Wake County will watch for the outcome of the investigation and any departmental review. The collision is a reminder that traffic enforcement and officer safety are matters of local governance that affect daily life across the county.