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Johnston County Story



Charges Not Yet Filed In Accident That Killed Princeton Teen

Credit: AP Online

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PRINCETON, N.C.

Charges have not been filed in an accident that killed a Johnston County high school student last week.

One Princeton High School football player died and two other players were hurt in a head on-collision Wednesday along Fellowship Church Road near Princeton Kenly Road.

Matt Stewart, 17, and Brandon Baker, 21, both died. The other two teens in the car remain hospitalized at WakeMed.

Driver Nathan Pearson,17, is listed in fair condition. Cody McConnell, 17, is in serious condition. 

Highway Patrol officials said the teens were traveling 70 mph in a 55 when Pearson's car crossed the center line crashing head on into a jeep, driven Rosa Wilson, 80.

No alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident, according to the highway patrol.

No charges have been filed yet, but officials said charges are pending.

During this tough time, the people in this close knit community are relying on each other as they try to cope.

"You have a big extended family in Princeton. Everybody relies on each other, everybody knows each other. And they really just uh, everybody's coming around this family -- both families -- and really sticking tight to them to help them through this," said William Murphy, a youth pastor at Princeton Baptist Church who knew the victims.

"It was hard to take, I mean, cause they're seniors, they're young, they got their whole lives ahead of them," said Michele Brewer, a friend of the victims' families.

Varsity football coach Russell Williamson released this statement at the time:

"Matt Stewart, a.k.a. Big Country, was a wonderful kid from a wonderful family. We don't know how we will replace him ... Our hearts and prayers are with his family and the families of Brandon Baker, Cody McConnell & Nathan Pearson."

Wilson was transported to Duke Hospital. Highway Patrol said that she is in critical but stable condition.

The crash was the latest in a string of accidents that's plagued Johnston County and Princeton High School.

Four Johnston County teenagers were killed in traffic related accidents this year alone.

And last year, the County led the state with 11 traffic deaths involving teens.

"Anytime we lose a student, anytime we lose a young person or a staff member, it's like losing a part of our own family," said Johnston County Schools Spokeswoman Terri Sessoms.

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