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A man accused of driving drunk and killing a local ballerina is now being charged with second-degree murder.
Raymond Cook, an assistant professor at the UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill and a doctor at WakeMed, had faced DWI, death by motor vehicle and reckless driving charges.
Cook appeared before a Wake County judge Monday morning. The accident happened at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
In a written statement, Cook said:
"Today, in Winston-Salem, Elena Bright Shapiro is laid to rest. My wife, parents and family join me inexpressing our most profound sympathy to Ms. Shapiro's family. Yet, we understand that words can never take away the pain of her loss.
A license to provide medicine is a genuine privilege. It is one that I cherish and have never taken for granted. It has afforded me the opportunity to help and to heal. Today, I surrendered my license to practice medicine. In addition, I resigned my faculty position at UNC and my employment with WakeMed Facial Plastic Surgery. Later this week, I will enter a program that treats substance abuse.
Time might heal some things but it will never take away this hurt and this loss."
According to the Raleigh police report, Cook was going 85 miles per hour when his car struck the car driven by 20-year-old Elena Shapiro near the intersection of Lead Mine and Strickland Roads.
The charges on Tuesday were upgraded to second-degree murder. Cook is expected to turn himself into authorities today.
Paramedics rushed Shapiro, who was a rising star with the Carolina Ballet, to WakeMed, where she later died.
Shapiro was a trainee at the Carolina Ballet entering her second season with the company.
"It's really pretty sad, sad that an innocent young girl was hit by somebody intoxicated," said Robert Weiss of the Carolina Ballet. "People should not drive drunk. It's a terrible, terrible thing and I'm sure he's devastated by it too. Driving drunk is the same as having a gun, it's a terrible, terrible thing."
Cook was released Friday on a $51,000 bond.
Safety experts said a recent string of fatal accidents highlights the dangers of being on the roads.
The Safety and Health Council of North Carolina teaches a number of driving courses, and talks about the importance of always being aware of other drivers.
"We have to watch at all times. We have to be alert at all times," said Matt Thompson, the Council's marketing and public relations manager.
For more information, visit the Council's Web site here.
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Comments
By N. Rogerson on 10/08 10:45 PM
He made an awful mistake....he is atill a human being. Not a murderer. He is going thru hell and always will. nr
By Pissed off on 09/18 09:36 PM
Poker Face, seems like you are an angry person! Sounds like you might need some therapy. I stated an issue where people were being killed daily, and you want to piss on me! I bet you are a smoker and cannot handle people telling you to quit. You have a serious problem that is hurting many people. I hope you can find a cure before killing others.
By Poker Face on 09/18 07:15 PM
"Pissed off"...you ought to be "pissed on", by many people at once. You're an imbecile. Cook will burn.
By Pissed off on 09/18 05:59 PM
Here is another issue! I have a disease called asthma, and I am highly allergic to tobacco smoke. Since everyone here is writing about killing people, I thought you should know smokers are killing me. I have to hold my breath when leaving public buildings, cannot allow fresh air in my car, cannot go to outdoor restaurants etc… Smoking triggers asthma attacks and I could wreck my car or have a severe enough reaction that I could die. So for any of you bloggers who smoke PLEASE STOP SMOKING TONIGHT! Your actions are doing to me exactly what you are blaming Dr. Cook of.
By suzie on 09/18 03:43 PM
It has been one week since Elena's tragic death and I was only the 6th person to call the DA! Please call the District Attorney's office and voice your concerns over this preventable death. How many prior convictions must one have before their license is revoked. This man was repeat offender and still allowed to get behind the wheel! THE LAW MUST CHANGE!!! PLEASE call Colon Willoughby, Jr. Wake County District Attorney (919) 792-5000.
By Screw Gwynne on 09/18 10:08 AM
Gwynne knew her jagoff of a husband was a habitual drunkard and regularly drove plastered. She chose to overlook it however because she loved the lifestyle. NEWS TO GWYNNE: Enjoy your destitute lifestyle after all of this is over, you enabling ho.
By Mary on 09/17 09:32 AM
Kristy, Keep smoking that crack. ARE YOU AN IDIOT? It's known that Cook wasn't simply "heading home from golfing". He was at a bar on Falls of Neuse, drunk as a skunk, meeting his mistress, got KICKED OUT for being hammered, then staggered into his car and drove 90 mph down Strickland and killed someone. Treatment and remorse? That's it? Do us all a favor: CONFINE YOUR LAME SOCCER MOM STUPIDITY TO WHAT TO MAKE FOR DINNER OR WHERE TO GET YOUR NAILS DONE. Screw you.
By Kristy on 09/17 01:57 AM
It is tragic for both families. He will have to live with his actions for the rest of his life. Does he really need to spend the next 15 years in prison to change? I don't agree with drinking and driving, but I also don't believe a family man who was heading home from golfing had the intent to kill. He was 3/4 mile from his house and made a life changing mistake. Lets save prison for murders and rapists. Treatment and a lifetime of remorse can be his punishment.
By tom on 09/17 12:21 AM
I think NC DOES take drunk driving seriously, but WHO POSSIBLY can relate to a person already drunk who decides to drive 90 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. There are people that drink responsibly and those that don't. And I think the latter are very rare. The good doctor is one of those rareities, apparently -- they leave a mark that cannot easily be erased. We're back in Kindergarten where the whole of society is judged by the worst in the class. I don't want to be back in Kindergarten - do any of you? Welcome to America. I have no sympathy for the good doctor, because (a) he clearly was an out-of-control person for a long time and (b) he has given the reactionaries all they need to turn all of us us back into kindergartner's; all judged by the same low standard demonstrated by the bottom feeders of society. We need to find a middle-ground where people can have a glass of wine with dinner, without immediately being associated with people like this here doctor. There must be a middle ground; I do hope we (wake county) don't immediately go into the Spanish Inquisition-- having a glass of wine puts you in the same class as the good doctor Speedy Cook. Thank you doctor - you have probably inflicted harm on more lives than you can possibly know. just my thoughts, Doctor. You really don't want to know what I think about you. T (hopefully anonymous) but U never know
By ryan mulqueen on 09/16 09:50 PM
how many times will we let people like this return to the road? had he not committed enough crimes to confirm he was reckless and a danger? how many times do we have to read about the multiple convictions of a drunk driver that finally kills? this was not an accident. this was a killing. if your conscious behavior is such that you take a life, what is a suitable punishment?
By Lori on 09/16 07:28 PM
No, actually he wasn't coming straight home from golf and "running late" as the person below alleges. It's now known that he stopped at a bar on Falls of Neuse for a couple drinks with his on-the-side-hottie (who, coincidentally, asked for a to-go cup for her booze). My guess is that wifey called when he was there with his honey and he then decided to hightail it home lest he risk incur the wrath of the boss. Bad call, Cook. Hope you fry.
By Vicki on 09/16 06:53 PM
In Response to nonjudgemental: "He went golfing with some freinds that day and was running late home. How many of us know men and/or our husbands that have done thata million times!!" You are right, a lot of people do go golfing and are late getting home, but that is not the issue. He was drunk and driving 90 mph - doesn't matter where he got drunk or what he was late for. His choice to drive resulted in a woman's death. That is fact, not judgment.
By Bill on 09/16 12:56 PM
Dr. Cook was an amazing doctor, ironically it was automobile crash victims that he was able to help the most with his surgical skills. He repaired my lab manager's face that was crushed in an auto accident two years ago. I have sympathy for both families, it is unimaginable to lose a child to an accident such as this. Shapiro was an amazing dancer, I saw her dance with the Carolina Ballet. We are all the poorer for the loss of these two individuals.
By Bill on 09/16 12:42 PM
Dr. Cook was an amazing doctor, ironically it was automobile crash victims that he was able to help the most with his surgical skills. He repaired my lab manager's face that was crushed in an auto accident two years ago. I have sympathy for both families, it is unimaginable to lose a child to an accident such as this. Shapiro was an amazing dancer, I saw her dance with the Carolina Ballet. We are all the poorer for the loss of these two individuals.
By jean on 09/16 10:10 AM
Way to go DA- consideration of TOTAL DISREGARD for saftey and lives of others - aggrevated the situation 1. previous Drunk Driving - no contest - way to admit guilt 2. reckless driving - double speed limit 3. Getting cut off from Pipers Tavern 4. Discussion about alternate transportation, other than him driving…. 5. asking for TO-GO cups was the cherry on top! Oh, should we all have faith in the Physicians Substance Abuse program that he starts on Friday? He has nothing else to focus on right now… hope he makes the best of it!
By Dr.unk Ray on 09/16 09:07 AM
While Dr.unk DeathRay was rushing home to see his loved ones, for a moment, try to image Elena’s thoughts in the few moments she may or may not have seen Dr.unk Ray coming at her with his drunken death mobile. I saw the carnage on Strickland that evening. Elena’s car was unrecognizable. Dr.unk Ray’s car crushed Elena into the guardrail on the north side of street and then his car sailed all the way to the south side of Stickland - across 4 lanes of traffic to come to rest facing back the way he was coming. Note, does not seem to be any skid marks indicating an attempt at breaking by Dr.unk Ray near the victims car-nage, however plenty of tire marks showing the path his car took after impacting Elena’s. Seems God has a plan, Dr.unk Ray will suffer each and everytime he leaves his driveway and turns left - he lives only 3/4 mile from the scene. Question : What punishment would Dr.unk Ray be seeking if it were one of his children snuffed by a drunk driver? Remember, Punishment and Forgiveness are two different things. The law needs to set the punishment and if you choose to forgive - that is up to you. He is very lucky we do not have an Eye for an Eye as our current law. This was NO ACCIDENT - he loaded his body with alcohol, reached in his pocket, put the key in the igition and accelerated beyond reckless in his own neighborhood…and killed another human being. He clearly had INTENT - along with huge pile of SELFISH & STUPID! He should be prosecuted to the Fullest Extent the Law allows. Seems Dr.unk Ray’s previous drunk driving expeditions as far back as 1988, have revealed a deep rooted issue with alcohol. But it took getting dressed in horizontal orange and white striped jump suit to get him to seek help? Hmmm. The man has serious problems -- an alcoholic with vehicular manslaughter to add to his impressive glory wall of credentials…
By Hipolito Lagares on 09/16 07:46 AM
What a sad situation all around-wow!! I feel the pain for both families-but specially for the young ballerina.I hope Dr Cook learns his lesson and tech others about the atrocities of driving drunk.Elena Bright Shapiro RIP.
By Emma on 09/15 08:06 PM
A previous poster stated "By witness accounts, he spent several hours at Carolina Country Club" This is wrong, he was at Raleigh Country Club. It does not, however, change the fact that he made the decision to get behind the wheel. He killed that girl and should be punished to the fullest extent. That won't bring her back to her family but he can sit in jail thinking about it for years. Piece of garbage
By Redbullseye on 09/15 12:49 PM
This is awful for both families. With that said, Dr. Cook made the choice to get behind the wheel and drive drunk. He needs to be accountable for his actions and should serve time in prison. If more people were punished appropriately for their actions, they would think twice about taking the chances they take.
By Ken on 09/15 09:12 AM
Screw this guy. haven't we as a society had ENOUGH of rude, arrogant jerks like this guy who feel that they're above the law and can operate with impunity? Consider the FACTS: - Cook has a PATTERN of prior reckless driving. In fact, he was recently cited for speeding and reckless driving in a separate incident! - He KILLED his victim by driving 90 mph on a sleepy residential street - double the speed limit. - By witness accounts, he spent several hours at Carolina Country Club drinking heavily prior to driving and was extremely obnoxious and rude to other patrons. String this guy up. He deserves no less that anyone else would get for such a heinous act. Call the Wake County District Attorney's office today and let them know you're watching this case. NO SWEETHEART DEALS FOR WEALTHY DEFENDENTS!!! Colon Willoughby, Jr. Wake County District Attorney (919) 792-5000
By suz on 09/14 10:43 PM
Yeah, I love the safety council "we have to be alert at all times." I am not sure that being alert could have gotton this poor girl out of the way of a drunk driver driving at a high rate of speed. I see all this energy put toward teens drunk driving but it's the person that could be your neighbor out killing people. Why didn't his golfing buddies call him a cab? How lucky are we that they didn't get into accidents on the way home. Drunk driving is not acceptable no matter who you are. Wake up Raleigh!
By Ed on 09/14 09:46 PM
"Observer" 1) "Was the car really traveling 85?" Look at the video. It's obvious the collision was at high, high speed. The police said 90 mph, btw. 2) "Was a red light really run?" I live 2 minutes from where it happened. The only way that there could have been that type accident right there, going west, is if Cook ran a red light. Full stop. 3) "Did the alcohol play a factor in the accident?" The guy was driving 90 in a 45. Look at his mug shot...he's ripped! Wise up. 4) "What was the actual circumstances that caused the crash" Are you thick? Driving 90 in a 45, blowing through a red light, being drunk as a skunk. Quit with the blame the victim bs. You suck.
By Observer on 09/14 09:22 PM
I feel sorry for all the people the families that have been hurt by this horrible accident. Before passing judgement on someone you must first know the facts. Was the car really traveling 85? Was a red light really run? Did the alcohol play a factor in the accident? What was the actual circumstances that caused the crash. I will wait for all the facts to come out before reaching my decision. If all of the above are true, then the courts can decide his punishment.
By KiKi on 09/14 09:18 PM
How many accidents in the last 2 days have been alcohol related? We need to do more to get this addiction under control. Alcoholics are not just people that live under a bridge. It affects all races, both sexes, doesn't matter your job or where you live or how much you make.
By Burn, Cook, Burn on 09/14 09:09 PM
He deserves to be strung up. I see that he showed up in court today with his pastor. What a freaking joke. Another Sarah Palin pseudo Christian circa 2009. Do as I say, not as I do. Piss off.
By Judgemental on 09/14 08:57 PM
You say Dr. Cook is a great man who made a mistake, could be your neighbor. He is responsible for the consequences of his actions.Elena Shapiro was a great woman. Her family and friends are grieving. She did nothing wrong, but she paid with her life for Dr. Cook's mistake.
By Jay on 09/14 08:35 PM
"Nonjudgemental", give us a freaking break. So it's all good because he was golfing and is a "good guy"? The douche was piss drunk, driving 90 mph on Strickland, blew through a red light, and killed someone! ARE YOU SERIOUS???? No doubt you're another of those self entitled jerks I see out here (I live in North Raleigh too) who think that the rules don't apply to you and your kind. You're less than pathetic.
By Lee on 09/14 08:10 PM
God may pass judgment in the next life, but this one is ours. Dr. Cook's offense is even greater than the typical despicable drunk. He swore an oath to do no harm, and instead he killed a girl who had not even reached the cusp of womanhood. They ought to put this guy in prison for a long, long time. Maybe it was a mistake. And he may be just the kind of person who could be my best friend. But a girl is dead because of him, and there must be justice.
By nonjudgemental on 09/14 06:21 PM
Nor for nothin..but Dr. Cook is a great man who made a mistake. i know him and his family personally and they could be your neighbor or best freind. He went golfing with some freinds that day and was running late home. How many of us know men and/or our husbands that have done thata million times!! God is the only one who needs to pass judgement, and last I looked thats not you...
By Joe on 09/14 05:29 PM
Call the District Attorney's office and let him know that sweetheart deals for wealthy constituents who commit murder is UNACCEPTABLE!!! Colon Willoughby, Jr. Wake County District Attorney (919) 792-5000
By suz on 09/14 01:52 PM
North Carolina does not seem to take drunk driving too seriously. Become outraged! You could be next! Please-just because he is a physician, please do not go easy on him. Make an example of him!
By zamaiya on 09/14 12:30 PM
Not a very smart doctor since not driving drunk saves lives better than medicine
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