A driver struck and injured a bicyclist on North Carolina Highway 54 on Thursday evening, with the collision and emergency response temporarily causing delays.

A spokesperson for the Chapel Hill police and fire departments confirmed to Chapelboro that police officers responded at 7:08 p.m. to a reported crash at Burning Tree Drive along Raleigh Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered a driver had struck a bicyclist traveling in the eastbound lanes.

Chapel Hill emergency responders said the cyclist was taken to UNC Hospitals for treatment of injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening. The driver — who was not immediately identified by police — was cited on-scene for a failure to reduce speed and violating a prior license restriction for daytime-only driving.

There is no 2026 data on pedestrian or bicycle collisions on the town’s Vision Zero Dashboard, which tracks such incidents as part of the local government’s goal to “eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2031.” Chapel Hill reported five driver-bicyclist collisions in 2025 — two of which were along N.C. Highway 54 — which resulted in one hospitalization for minor injuries. That count is down from 16 reported driver-bicyclist crashes in 2024, 21 reported in 2023, and 22 reported in 2022, according to the dashboard.

As of 9 p.m. on Thursday, traffic data indicated vehicles were still slowed on Burning Tree Drive in the aftermath of the crash.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Car Crash and Downed Utility Lines Close NC 54 Near Chapel Hill on Thursday
Traffic on one of Chapel Hill's most traveled roads, NC 54, is being diverted Thursday thanks to a car crash and subsequent road closure.
Chapel Hill Collecting Feedback on W. Cameron Avenue Bike Lane Options Via Survey, Open House
Chapel Hill is asking for feedback of design options for future bicycle lanes on West Cameron Avenue through a survey and an open house.
ALE Investigation into Chapel Hill Fatal Crash Leads to Underage Drinking Charges for 7
Seven people face additional charges from ALE, and two Chapel Hill businesses are implicated, after fatal drunk driving crash on January 21.
Durham Budget Director Dies in Orange County After Being Struck By Driver
An Efland motorist faces charges after striking and killing a bicyclist on Thursday morning, who was the City of Durham’s budget director. John Allore was cycling along the two-lane Bradshaw Quarry Road near Orange Grove Road in southwestern Orange County when he was struck by the driver of a 2020 Toyota car, according to the […]
Car Stolen At Gunpoint Tuesday Morning; Chapel Hill Police Investigating
The Chapel Hill Police Department said it is investigating a report of a carjacking along Raleigh Road Tuesday morning and is working to identify two suspects. A release from the department said officers responded to a report of a stolen car around 9:30 a.m. at the Exxon gas station and Refuel market at 1010 Raleigh […]
OWASA Repair on NC 54 Expected to Last Until Late Summer
Orange Water and Sewer Authority crews are continuing work on a large repair after a wastewater overflow occurred at a pipe break on Rogerson Drive in early may. OWASA officials said an investigation confirmed that 700 feet worth of pipe needed to be repaired under Raleigh Road. Officials initially said this would be a “significant […]
Friday's Homicide Investigation Continues
Questions remain in Friday’s homicide in Southeast Chapel Hill as the investigation rolls on.
NCDOT Installing Pedestrian Infrastructure at 3 N.C. Highway 54 Intersections
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will partner with the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro to install pedestrian and bicyclist improvements at three intersections along North Carolina Highway 54. NCDOT will begin work Monday, Feb. 2 to install crosswalks with traffic signals at the highway’s intersections with: The Kingswood Apartments complex in Chapel Hill […]
Chapel Hill Police Seek Missing Teen, 15, Last Seen Monday
Chapel Hill Police are seeking your help as they search for 15-year-old Dyani Grant, last seen Monday near Chapel Hill High School.
New Chapel Hill Crosswalk Under Construction at Site of Past Pedestrian Collisions
The Town of Chapel Hill and North Carolina Department of Transportation partnered to add a crosswalk, pedestrian island and RRFBs (rectangular rapid flashing beacons) to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
›