Durham Daily Headlines: Trooper crash, primary voting, and DPAC Broadway slate
Durham, NC – March 2, 2026 – Trooper Perry dies in a wrong-way NC-147 crash; primary early voting closes; DPAC reveals its 2026-27 Broadway slate.
Top local headlines
1) Trooper killed in wrong-way crash on NC-147
A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper assigned to Durham County, Master Trooper Steve J. Perry, died after a head-on collision on the Durham Freeway. Investigators say the crash happened around 3 a.m. on N.C. 147 near Anderson Street when a vehicle traveling the wrong way struck Perry’s patrol car. The other driver also died, and officials said impairment is suspected as a contributing factor. A stretch of the freeway near Swift Avenue was shut down for hours while crews cleared the scene and reconstruction work began.
Highway Patrol officials said the Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation, and the trooper is being remembered locally for his years of service in Durham.
2) Primary election: early voting has ended, Election Day is Tuesday
Durham voters who have not cast a ballot should note that in-person early voting for North Carolina’s primary ended Saturday afternoon. The primary election itself is Tuesday, March 3, with polling places open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. State election officials continue to emphasize that voters should bring an acceptable photo ID.
Local election activity has been steady in Durham, including at library sites that hosted One-Stop voting. If you missed the early-vote window, you will need to vote at your assigned precinct on Election Day.
3) DPAC reveals its 2026-27 Broadway season
Durham Performing Arts Center has announced its 2026-27 Broadway lineup, with big-ticket titles including Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. The season schedule also lists Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending, Death Becomes Her, The Bodyguard, Operation Mincemeat, and Just in Time. Season packages are now available, and single-show tickets are expected to go on sale later this summer.
