Fayetteville, NC — The Fayetteville community is mourning the loss of three E.E. Smith High School students following a devastating car crash on the evening of October 8, 2025. The teens, all members of the school’s football team, were killed when a vehicle collided with a tree on the 2700 block of Rosehill Road near Walstone Road around 7:00 p.m.
The victims have been identified as Jai’Hyon Lamont Elliot (18), Trevor Merritt (17), and Nicholas Kole Williams (17). Reports indicate the teens were en route to a birthday celebration for one of their brothers when the tragic accident occurred.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
Suspects and Charges
Authorities have charged Dymond Nekiya Monroe (21), the driver of a 2024 Honda Civic involved in the crash, with multiple serious offenses:
Three counts of involuntary manslaughter
Willful speed competition (street racing)
Speeding
Careless and reckless driving
Insurance violation
Monroe was airlifted to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill with serious injuries following the collision.
Monroe’s sister, Destini Rhinada Genwright (19), who was allegedly racing alongside Monroe in a separate vehicle, faces charges including:
Willful speed competition
Speeding
Careless and reckless driving
Insurance violation
Authorities have urged Genwright to turn herself in, though she has not yet been taken into custody.
Community Grief and Response
The deaths of Elliot, Merritt, and Williams have sent shockwaves through Fayetteville and the E.E. Smith High School community. Social media tributes and vigils have highlighted the deep sense of loss felt by classmates, teachers, and residents alike.
School officials have described the young men as talented, kind, and full of promise, with teammates and friends expressing heartbreak over the sudden and tragic loss.
The Fayetteville Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash and has called on anyone with information to come forward.
As the community mourns, residents are emphasizing awareness of the dangers of street racing and reckless driving, hoping to prevent further tragedies like this one.
The families of Jai’Hyon Lamont Elliot, Trevor Merritt, and Nicholas Kole Williams are receiving an outpouring of support as they navigate the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.