An intersection in Raleigh where the tragic accident occurred.
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Sponsor Our ArticlesRaleigh is mourning the tragic loss of 18-year-old Ethan Murillo-Ceron, who died in a motorcycle accident involving former ECU Chancellor Dan Gerlach. The incident occurred on February 6, 2025, resulting in Gerlach facing charges of misdemeanor death by vehicle. Additionally, Natasha Brandon has been charged for her role in the accident. The community is advocating for increased road safety awareness following this heartbreaking event.
The city of Raleigh is reeling from the shocking news that *Dan Gerlach*, a former interim chancellor at East Carolina University (ECU), has faced charges related to a fatal vehicle accident. This tragic incident resulted in the untimely death of *Ethan Murillo-Ceron*, an 18-year-old motorcyclist. The accident unfolded on the evening of February 6, 2025, near the intersection of Fairfax Drive and Falls of Neuse Road, a busy area in the city.
According to reports, Gerlach, who was behind the wheel of a 2023 *Hyundai Elantra*, was making a left turn when he allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way. This fateful decision led to a collision with Murillo-Ceron’s motorcycle, a 2012 *Kawasaki EX650*. Eyewitnesses shared that Murillo-Ceron attempted to brake but was unable to avoid crashing into Gerlach’s vehicle. The impact hurled him approximately *200.5 feet* away from the point of collision.
As the community mourns the loss of Murillo-Ceron, who worked at *Carajillo’s Mexican Restaurant* in Raleigh, a GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the costs of transporting his remains back to Colombia for burial. The campaign has already raised $3,309 toward its $10,000 goal, showcasing the outpouring of support from friends, family, and locals who are eager to help in this time of grief.
Adding to the complexity of this tragic event, *Natasha Brandon*, a 47-year-old woman, has also been charged in connection to the motorcycle accident. After the initial collision, Brandon’s vehicle, a 2019 *Volkswagen Tiguan*, allegedly struck Murillo-Ceron as he lay on the ground. Witnesses have cast doubt on her claims of trying to swerve to avoid him; video footage showed no apparent effort on her part to brake or change direction.
Brandon now faces serious charges, including *felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death* and *misdemeanor death by vehicle*. After her arrest, she was released from Wake County jail after posting a *$50,000 bond*.
As for Gerlach, he is charged with *misdemeanor death by vehicle* and *failing to yield* while turning left. Although he was not arrested at the scene, he received a citation, as North Carolina law permits officers to issue such citations for misdemeanors instead of taking individuals into custody. Gerlach is set to appear in court on *March 4, 2025*, to face these charges.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Gerlach has made headlines. He stepped down from his position at ECU in *October 2019* after a scandal surfaced involving his behavior with students, which included drinking and socializing late at night. Before serving as interim chancellor, he held leadership roles at the *Golden LEAF Foundation* and as a financial advisor to former Governor Mike Easley. He was known for being highly approachable during his term, a quality that resonated well with many on campus.
The accident has stirred a wave of emotions within the community. Residents are calling for greater awareness and accountability when it comes to road safety, particularly regarding motorcyclists, a group that can often be overlooked on the streets. As the legal proceedings unfold, many are left to contemplate the broader implications of this heartbreaking event.
The city of Raleigh hopes that from this tragedy, lessons will be learned about road safety and responsible driving, ensuring that the mistakes of the past do not lead to further heartbreak in the future.
Raleigh Community Mourns Life Lost in Motorcycle Accident
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