Speed and improper passing contributed to a June 7 fatal crash minutes after the end of the school year, and one of the teens in the crash has been charged.
Kamari Smith, 16, was cited for misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, no operator’s license, unsafe passing, failure to wear a seatbelt, driving left of center and speeding. The citations were issued June 7 by Trooper C. Grainger of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Smith was allegedly operating a 2009 Cadillac that left the road while passing another vehicle then struck a ditch. All four of the occupants of the vehicle were ejected. Kaiden Powell, 16, died in the crash. His brother Kainen, Joshua Lacewell and smith were seriously injured. The four played JV football at Whiteville High School, and the Powell brothers were expected to join the Wolfpack varsity team this fall.
The wreck occurred on the last day of school, when students were scheduled for early release. Whiteville High dismissed classes two hours ahead of the planned time, due to a water outage in the city.
Kamari Smith is scheduled to appear in district court Aug. 8.
