One sister appears in court on charges related to crash that killed 3 high school football players
By Sydnee Scofield
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FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina (WTVD) — Two sisters are facing charges after a crash in Fayetteville killed three E.E. Smith High School football players and left one of the sisters critically injured.
The crash happened two weeks ago on Rosehill Road, shortly after football practice. Fayetteville police say 21-year-old Dymond Monroe and her 19-year-old sister Destini Genwright were on their way to their younger brother’s 18th birthday party with several E.E. Smith football players riding with them.
Investigators say Monroe’s Honda Civic ran off the road and crashed, killing three teen passengers, 18-year-old Jai-Hyon Elliot, 17-year-old Nicholas Williams and 17-year-old Trevor Merritt. Monroe was left in critical condition.
Court documents allege Genwright was driving 76 mph in a 45 mph zone. Investigators believe both sisters were racing in separate cars.
Assistant Fayetteville Police Chief Todd Joyce said the tragedy has had a deep emotional impact not just on families, but on first responders as well.
“It affects everyone involved. It affects, you know, everyone from the initial 911 that came in to those telecommunications who are dispatching the officers to the officers who responded, medical personnel, our firefighters, anyone who came to the scene that night,” he said.
In the days after the crash, the Fayetteville community gathered to grieve and honor the teens.
This week, the legal consequences began. On Wednesday morning, Destini Genwright appeared in court for a brief hearing to be formally advised of the charges against her: four misdemeanors related to racing, speeding, reckless driving, and an insurance violation.
Monroe, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, is also facing four misdemeanor charges – along with three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter. She has not yet had a court date set.
Assistant Chief Joyce said this crash highlights the stakes for drivers every time they get behind the wheel.
“I hope that it is an ever-present reminder for the individuals when they’re driving – don’t do something that can result in you being hurt, a friend or a family member being injured, or, unfortunately, what we see when we lost three young lives two weeks ago,” he said.
Genwright is expected back in court in December. Monroe does not have a court date set yet as she remains in the hospital.
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