Raleigh man sentenced in deadly Durham crash. How long will he spend in prison?
More than two years after a fatal crash ended the lives of two Durham women, the driver responsible pleaded guilty in a Durham County courtroom Wednesday.
Armonta Lamont Tyler, 28, of Raleigh was sentenced to a minimum of four years and 11 months and a maximum of five years and 11 months in prison for the Oct. 28, 2022, deaths of Cornisha Shaw, 24, and Courtney Simms, 23, court documents show.
Shaw and Simms were killed and Tyler was seriously injured in the late-night crash, which occurred at 11:49 p.m. on Fayetteville Street near Timothy Avenue when the trio’s 2017 Audi ran off the road and hit a tree, The News & Observer previously reported. Police said at the time that speed appeared to be a factor in the crash.
Tyler was arrested almost three months later on two charges of felony death by motor vehicle, two charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, driving while impaired, reckless driving and speeding, The N&O reported.
He pleaded guilty Wednesday to the two felony death by motor vehicle charges; the other five were dismissed in exchange for his plea, court records show.
As part of his sentence, Tyler must receive a mental health evaluation and be assessed for substance abuse, according to an order signed by Judge Leonard L. Wiggins. He was also recommended for work release while in prison.
Tyler had previously been charged with several driving-related offenses in North Carolina, court records show:
2018 charges of no operator’s license and possession of a revoked license in Durham County, which were dismissed because Tyler had an active license.
2013 charges of no operator’s license and a hit-and-run causing property damage in Wake County, which were dismissed because the charging officer did not come to court.
A 2015 charge of driving 79 mph in a 70 mph zone in Wake County, which Tyler pleaded guilty to.
A 2015 charge of driving with a revoked license in Wake Forest, which was dismissed for unclear reasons.
A 2016 charge of driving 73 mph in a 55 mph zone in Wake Forest, which was dismissed “in the interest of justice.”
Details on Simms’ life were not publicly available. Shaw, an Edgecombe County native, was a senior at N.C. Central University majoring in biology with hopes of becoming a veterinarian, according to a memorial post from the school.
“According to her professors, she was an active participant who brought joy to the classroom and always seized the opportunity to make her fellow Eagles laugh,” the post states. “She will be remembered by her beautiful smile and positive demeanor, which encouraged others to approach life with love and authenticity.”
Shaw graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 2016, according to her obituary. She is survived by her parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandmother and a brother and sister.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Raleigh man sentenced in deadly Durham crash. How long will he spend in prison?."
