Driver Charged in Durham Hit-and-Run Death
Julien Joseph faces a felony charge after police say he struck and killed Rakesh Poojari on the Durham Freeway.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Crime — General
Durham police charged Julien Joseph with a felony in the hit-and-run death of Rakesh Poojari, who was killed on October 18 after stopping to change a flat tire on the Durham Freeway. Joseph posted a $100,000 unsecured bond and appeared in traffic court on Wednesday.
Why it matters
The case shows how a driver's decision to keep going after a crash can shape the legal outcome for a victim's family. Court documents describe a sequence of events in which the suspect drove 12 miles before contacting anyone.
Joseph faces a felony charge and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond after appearing in traffic court on Wednesday, with his next court date set for January. A magistrate cited his clean record, community ties, and employment status in release paperwork, but the source does not describe the strength of the prosecution's evidence.
The players
Durham Police Department
The Durham Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Durham, North Carolina, and it made the arrest in this case.
Julien Joseph
Julien Joseph is the driver identified in court documents as the suspect in the hit-and-run that killed Rakesh Poojari, and he faces a felony charge.
The details
Rakesh Poojari had stopped to change a flat tire on the Durham Freeway when he was struck and killed on October 18. Police arrested Joseph about two weeks later, and Joseph told a state trooper he had hit a deer.
Timeline
October 18: Rakesh Poojari is killed on the Durham Freeway.
Two weeks after the crash: Durham police arrest Julien Joseph.
Wednesday: Joseph appears in traffic court and posts a $100,000 unsecured bond.
January: Joseph's next court date is scheduled.
Legal Context
North Carolina treats failing to stop after a crash that causes a death as a felony, which is the charge Joseph now faces. The case illustrates how a driver's statements to police and the time between the crash and any contact with authorities can shape how such prosecutions proceed in Durham.
Durham drivers should be aware that leaving the scene of a crash can carry felony consequences even when a driver claims to have struck an animal. Residents who use the Durham Freeway may also note that the crash occurred while a motorist was stopped on the roadside changing a tire.
The takeaway
Drivers involved in a crash are required to stop and remain at the scene, and failing to do so can turn a collision into a felony case. Anyone who witnesses a crash or has information about this incident should contact the Durham Police Department.
What happens next
Joseph's next court date is scheduled for January.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Crime — General in Durham.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC11 Raleigh-Durham.
