Deadly UNC crash: Football player was 15 yards behind car speeding 124 mph in 45-mph zone, docs reveal
WRAL Investigates is learning more about a deadly crash in Chapel Hill involving three UNC football players and several students from local universities.
A newly released court document shows Zachary Rice, one of the football players charged in the crash, was closely following another car speeding 124 mph. The car Rice was following was the car that crashed, killing Molly Elizabeth Rotunda, 20, a passenger.
A total of 10 people now face charges in the Jan. 21 crash at the intersection of Raleigh Road and East Barbee Chapel Road.
WRAL News previously learned racing may have been a factor in that crash, which is further supported by the new documents released Wednesday.
A newly released warrant claims Rice was "traveling 15 yards behind a vehicle that was traveling 124 mph in a 45 mph zone."
Documents indicate the leading car was driven by 20-year-old UNC student Flemeeja Brewer, who survived the crash and faces multiple felony charges. Rotunda, a passenger and fellow UNC student, died in the crash, and a second passenger, Brianna Tiera Pinson, 21, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Radio traffic released by police Wednesday indicates officers got an automated 911 call from one of the iPhones in the car.
The call references "a vehicle that's overturned. One person is unconscious."
WRAL News has reported 10 people -- at least five of them UNC students and at least one an N.C. Central student -- are facing charges related to the crash investigation.
The investigation also involves Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) as investigators piece together the underage drinking they say was occurring in the hours before at Still Life, a bar on Franklin Street.
WRAL News has learned two Still Life employees charged with servicing alcohol to minors are UNC students themselves.
Brewer, who was driving the car that crashed, appeared in court briefly to hear her charges on Monday. Rice is scheduled to appear in court March 7. The rest of those charged have yet to be served their court summons.
10 charged in connection with crash that killed UNC student
- Flemeeja Brewer, 20, the driver of the car that crashed, is facing multiple felony charges. She was driving the car in which Rotunda died.
- Brianna Tiera Pinson, 21, of Greensboro, was also in the car. She faces two counts of aiding and abetting consumption of alcohol by a person younger than 21.
Brewer and Pinson suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.
- Travis Shaw, 19, was charged with underage possession/consumption of alcohol, five counts of aid/abet underage possession/consumption of alcohol, and an outstanding order for arrest for failing to appear in Durham County for possession of marijuana, underage possession of alcoholic beverages and unauthorized possession. Warrants show Shaw allegedly bought three bottles of tequila at Still Life.
- Zachary O'Brien Rice, 20, of Virginia, was charged with driving after consuming while younger than 21, consuming/possession of alcohol younger than 21 and exceeding a posted speed limit.
- Malaki Hamrick, 19, was charged with underage possession/consumption of alcohol.
Those three young men – Hamrick, Shaw and Rice – are listed on the UNC football roster. Jeremy Sharpe with UNC Athletics said the team is aware of the situation, are continuing to gather information and will "handle things internally."
- Karissa Webb, 22, an employee of Still Life, was charged with three counts of sell/give alcohol to underage.
- Annelle McNair, 24, an employee of Still Life, was charged with five counts of sell/give alcohol to underage.
Both Webb and McNair were also students at UNC. WRAL News reached out to Still Life for a comment and is waiting to hear back.
Three others are charged with underage drinking:
- Cameren Spencer, 20, was charged with underage possession/consumption of alcohol and two counts of giving malt beverages or unfortified wine to anyone younger than 21 years old.
- Caden Spender, 22, was charged with six counts of aid/abet underage possession/consumption of alcohol.
- Maliyah Pellum, 19, was charged with underage possession/consumption of alcohol and aid/abet underage possession/consumption of alcohol.
