Trevor Meritt, Nicholas Williams Obituary, Death News – The young woman accused in the crash that claimed the lives of three E.E. Smith High School students in Fayetteville has been released from jail after posting bond. Dymond Monroe, 21, was freed Thursday evening after securing her $300,000 bond, which followed her court appearance earlier in the day in Cumberland County.
Monroe was taken into custody on Wednesday while undergoing rehabilitation treatment at UNC Health. Fayetteville police arrested her there and transported her back to the county to face charges connected to the deadly wreck that happened on October 3. Prosecutors have charged Monroe with several offenses, including three counts of involuntary manslaughter tied to the deaths of three members of the E.E. Smith High School football team — Jai’Hyon Elliott, Trevor Meritt, and Nicholas Williams.
According to investigators, Monroe had been racing her sister along Rosehill Road on the night of the crash. Officials say she was traveling at 93 miles per hour when she lost control, struck a utility pole, went airborne, and then collided with a tree. The impact destroyed the vehicle and resulted in the deaths of the three teens who were riding with her. Monroe herself was critically injured and spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from multiple broken bones and other trauma.
Her attorney, Aerial Chatman, said Monroe is devastated by the loss and expressed sorrow for the families grieving the three boys. Chatman argued that taking Monroe from a facility focused on her medical recovery and transferring her to a detention center that cannot address her health needs is “unjust,” adding that the young woman viewed the victims as extended family.
Monroe is expected back in court on December 10, where additional legal proceedings will continue as the case moves forward.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West described the situation as “tragic from every angle,” noting that the investigation remains active. He emphasized that law enforcement officers and prosecutors are still reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses, and that the case is far from resolution. Although no legal outcome can undo the loss of three promising young lives, West said the justice system will work to deliver accountability and support for the victims’ families and the community as a whole.
Authorities also revealed that Monroe’s sister, Destini Genwright, played a role in the chain of events that led to the fatal crash. Genwright, who was allegedly racing Monroe on the night of the incident, faces multiple charges, including willful speed competition, speeding, and careless and reckless driving without insurance. She was arrested earlier in October and later released on bond.
The deaths of Elliott, Meritt, and Williams deeply shook the E.E. Smith High School community. Students, families, and school staff have held vigils and memorials to honor the three football players, all described as well-liked, dedicated, and respected among their peers. Their unexpected loss has renewed conversations about reckless driving, street racing, and the devastating consequences such actions can bring.
As Monroe continues to recover physically and prepares for upcoming court dates, prosecutors and investigators will keep gathering material to build a full picture of what led to the catastrophic crash. The lengthy legal process ahead will determine what consequences Monroe and her sister may face, but for many in Fayetteville, the focus remains on honoring the memories of the three teenagers whose lives ended far too soon.
