FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — A school community in Fayetteville is in mourning after the news that three E.E. Smith High School football players were killed in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday night.
The deadly crash happened on Rosehill Road. Police arrived and found a gray 2024 Honda Civic that had run off the road and hit a telephone pole before going down an embankment and crashing into a tree.
"It's hard to really even comprehend. We're saying we're crying, we're mourning, we're hurting. And right now, we're just present to support, to just be a listening ear and to just support everyone involved in this tragic situation," said Lindsay Whitley, Cumberland County Schools Associate Superintendent of Communications.
Cumberland County Schools provided grief counselors for students and faculty on Thursday.
The driver of the vehicle was the only survivor at the scene. Dymond N. Monroe, 21, of Fayetteville, was life-flighted to UNC Medical Center in critical condition.
On Thursday, authorities identified one of the students as 18-year-old Jai-Hyon Elliot, while a family friend identified a second victim as 17-year-old Trevor Merritt. Cumberland County Schools identified the third victim as 17-year-old Nicholas Williams.
The sports website MaxPreps listed both Elliot and Merritt as seniors, noting Merritt was a multi-sport athlete. Friends and family said the trio were great students and star athletes with big NFL dreams; recruiters had begun showing up at their games.
All three passengers succumbed to their injuries at the crash scene.
"When I think about these three young men, I think about their parents, I think about their family members. I think about all the hopes that they had for them, and in the hopes that these young men had for themselves, their plan, what they wanted to do, and how that was just cut short," said Dr. Tony Haire, who serves as Director of Way2Real Community Center.
Haire, an alum of E.E. Smith, showed up at the school on Thursday to offer support.
"We can be there for one another," said Haire.
On Thursday night, people journeyed to the crash site, leaving behind flowers to remember the three young lives lost.
Friends told ABC11 that the three student-athletes had bright futures ahead of them, and the community is now dealing with a devastating loss.
Friends said the trio had been heading to a birthday dinner when the crash happened. Monroe's brother — also a Smith football player — was turning 18, and a celebration was planned.
Monroe is an Army veteran, a proud 2022 Smith graduate, and the mother of a 7-month-old girl. Her family told ABC11 that the three friends in the car were like brothers to her – and they are heartbroken.
"Our hearts are shattered," Dymond's mother, Kenisha Lewis, told ABC11. "We loved those boys like our own, and we are praying for every family touched by this tragedy."
Lewis said Dymond remains in critical condition and underwent a nine-hour surgery Thursday after suffering a broken neck, pelvis and other serious injuries.
In a statement, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin wrote:
On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, teammates, and educators mourning the loss of three E.E. Smith High School football players. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the family of the three young members of the E.E. Smith 1800 Family, and our prayers are for healing for the other passenger. May God grant you strength during this trying time. We are here for you.
Our community's heart is broken. These young men were part of the Golden Bulls family and of Fayetteville's future, and their loss is felt across our city. We are keeping the injured individual in our prayers and ask our community to join us in lifting up all who are hurting.
I am grateful to our first responders and to everyone who rushed to help. As the investigation continues, please allow our public safety professionals the space to do their work, and keep the E.E. Smith community, the families, and all affected in your thoughts and prayers.
In moments like this, Fayetteville leans on one another through our faith leaders, neighbors, alumni, and friends to surround the Golden Bulls family with compassion and care.
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The Cumberland County School Board also released a statement, saying:
The Cumberland County Board of Education extends its deepest condolences following the loss of three E.E. Smith High School seniors-young men whose energy, potential and friendships made a lasting mark on their school and community. Our hearts ache for their families and school community who are walking through this unimaginable time.
We recognize that our schools are more than places of learning; they are families bound by shared experiences, hopes and dreams. When tragedy strikes, we feel it together. The passing of these students reminds us how deeply connected we are as one community.
We have been moved by the kindness and strength shown across Cumberland County. From heartfelt messages to quiet acts of support, our community continues to rally around the E.E. Smith family in remarkable ways.
We pray that the families and friends of these young men find comfort in the love that surrounds them and in knowing how profoundly their lives mattered to so many.
CCS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy released his own statement on the shocking news:
Today, our Cumberland County Schools family is heartbroken. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three young men from E.E. Smith High School who passed away yesterday. All three were members of the Golden Bulls Football Team and were students, teammates and friends whose presence left a lasting impact on those around them.
From the four corners of Cumberland County and beyond, we join together to wrap our arms around the E.E. Smith community. We stand with their families, loved ones, classmates, teammates and school family as they grieve this devastating loss.
We are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals who acted with care and compassion, and to the many individuals, schools and organizations who have reached out and will continue to reach out in support of the E.E. Smith family during this difficult time.
In moments like this, we are reminded of the strength and unity of our community, and the way we come together to lift one another up when words alone cannot ease the pain. On behalf of Cumberland County Schools, I ask that we continue to keep these families, the E.E. Smith High School community and all who are grieving in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
E.E. Smith's scheduled football game on Friday with South View has been postponed.
Fayetteville Police say the investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
