Update to Traffic Fatality- Hit & Run- Suspect Arrested
Published on February 21, 2026
Roberto E. Bryan Jr.
Chief of Police
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer
Date: February 21, 2026 Phone: (910) 433-1487 OCA: 2026-003637
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- Hit & Run- Suspect Arrested
(Fayetteville, NC) – On February 20, 2026, at approximately 10:17 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to a vehicle collision involving a 2013 Nissan Altima and a 2025 Honda CB750 motorcycle at the intersection of Ramsey Street and Fernwood Drive that resulted in a fatality.
The driver of the motorcycle, Ean Alexander Gaskins, was traveling south on Ramsey Street with a green light at the intersection of Fernwood Drive. The Nissan Altima was traveling north on Ramsey Street when it turned left onto Fernwood Drive into the path of the motorcycle. Gaskins was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Nissan Altima fled from the scene.
Members of the Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit located the 2013 Nissan Altima abandoned approximately 1/4 mile from the scene.
During the investigation officers identified and located the driver of the Nissan Altima as being, Roberto Coton Jr. (Hispanic male, 43 years of age) of Cameron, N.C.
Roberto Coton Jr. was taken into custody without incident and charged with Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Felony Hit and Run, Driving Under Influence, Failure to Yield, Operating a Vehicle with No Insurance, Expired Registration and Expired Inspection. Coton Jr. is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $675,000.00 secure bond.
There is no other information to provide. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact Detective J. Deal at 910-584-3692.
Anonymous tips can 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.
Traffic Fatality
(Fayetteville, NC) – Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit is actively investigating a traffic fatality involving a motorcyclist at the intersection of Ramsey Street and Fernwood Drive.
On February 20, 2026, at approximately 10:17 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to a vehicle collision involving a 2013 Nissan Altima and a 2025 Honda CB750 motorcycle at the intersection of Ramsey Street and Fernwood Drive.
The preliminary investigation revealed the motorcycle was traveling south on Ramsey Street with a green light at the intersection of Fernwood Drive. The Nissan Altima was traveling north on Ramsey Street when it turned left onto Fernwood Drive into the path of the motorcycle. The Nissan Altima left the scene of the collision. The motorcycle operator was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 2025 Honda CB750 motorcycle was operated by Ean Alexander Gaskins (White male, 25 years of age) of Fayetteville, NC. Gaskins' next of kin has been notified.
The 2013 Nissan Altima was located abandoned approximately 1/4 mile from the scene.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact Detective J. Deal at 910-584-3692.
Anonymous tips can 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.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty
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