Illegal street race led to death of 3 high school football players, NC cops say

The crash that killed three high school football players happened as two vehicles were engaged in a speed competition, according to investigators in North Carolina.

The deadly collision happened Oct. 8 in Fayetteville, and the three teens who died were members of the E.E. Smith High School football team, officials say.

The driver of the car they were in, 21-year-old Dymond Nekiya Monroe, remains hospitalized but faces charges including willful speed competition, three counts of involuntary manslaughter, speeding, careless and reckless driving, and insurance violation, police said in an Oct. 21 update.

Detectives identified the other driver as 19-year-old Destini Rhinada Genwright of Fayetteville. She is Monroe’s sister, according to WTVD and media outlets.

“Officers with the FPD’s Traffic Unit have been in contact with Destini Genwright and are encouraging her to turn herself into authorities. We would encourage family and/or friends to assist in coordinating this process,” police said.

Genwright faces charges of willful speed competition, speeding, careless and reckless driving, and insurance violation, police said. The department seized her 2023 Dodge Charger, officials said.

Details of the competition were not revealed, including whether it was prearranged.

Monroe’s vehicle crashed around 7:20 p.m., in the 2700 block of Rosehill Road with Jai’hyon Elliott, 18, Trevor Merritt, 17, and Nicholas Williams, 17, riding as passengers, the Cumberland County Schools reported. The street is four lanes through mostly residential neighborhoods, maps show.

The three teens died at the scene, and Monroe was air lifted to UNC Chapel Hill in critical condition, police said. Details of her current condition were not released.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that a gray 2024 Honda Civic was traveling North on Rosehill Road. The vehicle ran off the road to the right and collided with a utility pole. The vehicle continued down the sidewalk and collided with a tree,” police said.

This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM with the headline "Illegal street race led to death of 3 high school football players, NC cops say."