North Carolina
Classmates, coaches stunned after 4 North Carolina high schoolers killed in crash: 'Unimaginable'
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — The campus community of Smithfield-Selma High School in Johnston County, North Carolina is continuing to mourn after four students were killed in a tragic car crash early Monday morning.
According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol, 17-year-old Alan Lockamy was behind the wheel of a Kia on I-95 northbound with passengers Chris Jackson Jr. (17), Freddy Seras (17) and Semaj Williams (16).
Top row left to right: Chris Jackson Jr., Semaj Williams | Bottom row left to right: Freddy Seras, Alan Lockamy
Troopers said they clocked Lockamy traveling over 100 miles per hour. The trooper attempted to catch up to Lockamy’s vehicle, but was not able to. A short distance away, the trooper saw Lockamy’s car had collided with a tree and the backseat passengers ejected.
The sudden deaths sent shockwaves through Smithfield-Selma High School where the four teens went to school.
“Alan was my friend. We used to always Snapchat,” one of his friends told ABC11.
According to students, there is a memorial on campus for the four victims as the student body mourns the tragic loss.
A youth track coach for Williams weighed in Tuesday about the loss of his athlete.
Desmond Kennedy, a coach for Elite Express TF, told ABC11 that Williams aspired to be an Olympic athlete and college and NFL player.
“He had dreams and aspirations and that’s what we trying to help him with and get him to that point,” Kennedy said.
The vehicle was clocked on radar going 104 mph before losing control on an exit ramp.
“We always tell our kids you have to make good choices. You got to look at who you hang with. You got to look at where you are at,” said Kennedy of the crash. “Just explain to them…you’re in a position now in sports, and in high school to make those decisions and you have to make sure you’re making the right ones.”
Smithfield-Selma High School Principal Crystal Gregory called the loss “unimaginable.”
Both Williams and Jackson were members of the Joco Arsenal Youth Athletic Association. Chris Williams, who is a representative of the league and unrelated to Semaj Williams, referred to both boys as ‘wonderful’ with a ‘bright future.”
“They will be greatly missed. It’s a great big blow to the community,” he said. “The outreach is phenomenal and they touched a lot of people’s lives.”
Wednesday evening, the high school plans to hold a remembrance vigil for the students, and another student who passed away late last year.
The vigil will be held on the school’s football field.
Funeral arrangements for all four boys are still being finalized.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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