Update to Traffic Fatality – Investigation Results in Amended Charge &

Published on September 30, 2025

Roberto E. Bryan Jr.

Chief of Police

Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer

Date: September 30, 2025 Phone: (910) 433-1487 OCA: 2025-020275

All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Persons of interest are believed to have information relating to a case and have not been charged unless stated otherwise.

Update to Traffic Fatality – Investigation Results in Amended Charge & Additional Charges

(Fayetteville, NC)-The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit’s continued investigation into the Traffic Fatality resulting in the death of Luz E. Arroyo that occurred on September 14, 2025, in the area of Morganton Road near Heartstone Drive, has resulted in an amended charge and additional charges.

On September 27, 2025, the Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit’s investigation resulted in the amended charge of Richard Goodyear (white male, 41 years old) from Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle to Felony Death by Vehicle and additional charges of Speeding, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.

On September 30, 2025, Richard Goodyear was taken into custody by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office without incident. Goodyear’s original misdemeanor charges have been amended to include felony death. He had previously secured release on a $100,000.00 secure bond through a bondsman. That bond has since been modified to a $100,000.00 unsecured bond on the elevated charge and Goodyear was released from the Cumberland County Detention Center.

Update to Traffic Fatality- Location Correction

(Fayetteville, NC)- On September 14, 2025, at approximately 11:09 am, officers with the Fayetteville Police Department were dispatched to the area of Morganton Road near Heartstone Drive in reference to a vehicle crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck operated by Richard B. Goodyear was traveling Westbound on Morganton Road towards Ruritan Drive at a high rate of speed. A 2019 Volkswagen SUV operated by Luz E. Arroyo was also traveling westbound when the Dodge Ram truck collided into the rear of her vehicle pushing the Volkswagen SUV into a utility pole, resulting in the death of Luz E. Arroyo.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer C. Lewis at (910) 818-1872

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.

Update to Traffic Fatality

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck operated by Richard B. Goodyear was traveling Westbound on McPherson Church Road towards Ruritan Drive at a high rate of speed. A 2019 Volkswagen SUV operated by Luz E. Arroyo was also traveling westbound when the Dodge Ram truck collided into the rear of her vehicle pushing the Volkswagen SUV into a utility pole, resulting in the death of Luz E. Arroyo.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer C. Lewis at (910) 818-1872

Traffic Fatality

The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit was contacted and responded to the scene, assuming the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling Westbound at a high rate of speed and collided with a 2019 Volkswagen that was also traveling westbound. The Volkswagen was pushed into a utility pole, resulting in the driver succumbing to her injuries.

The driver of the 2019 Volkswagen was identified as Luz E. Arroyo (white female, 64 years of age) of Fayetteville, NC. Luz Arroyo's next of kin has been notified.

The driver of the 2022 Dodge Ram pickup was identified as Richard B. Goodyear (white male, 41 years of age) of Fayetteville, NC. Richard Goodyear was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and is in stable condition.

Richard Goodyear was charged with Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle, Careless & Reckless Driving, Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid Colliding with a Vehicle.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer C. Lewis at (910) 818-1872