Duke Player Charged In Traffic Death

REIDSVILLE, N.C. (AP) _ A Duke wide receiver was charged in the traffic death of another driver after a weekend accident. <br/><br/>Raphael Chestnut was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, the state

Tuesday, February 27th 2007, 3:31 pm

By: News On 6

REIDSVILLE, N.C. (AP) _ A Duke wide receiver was charged in the traffic death of another driver after a weekend accident.

Raphael Chestnut was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, the state Highway Patrol said. He also faces a charge of driving left of the center line. He is to appear in court April 16, according to court calendars.

Douglas Smith, 50, died at the scene, the patrol said. His wife and infant in his car weren't injured, and Chestnut wasn't seriously injured.

The patrol said alcohol or drugs weren't involved in the Sunday wreck, which happened on a curve during heavy rain. Chestnut was driving 65 mph in Stokesdale when his vehicle collided with Smith's.

Chestnut, who played football at nearby Reidsville High School, is a rising junior. He was second in receptions for Duke last season with 39 catches for 375 yards and two touchdowns.