Dymond Nekiya Monroe, the 21-year-old driver charged in the October crash that killed three E.E. Smith High School football players, appeared in court Thursday as a judge upheld her $300,000 secured bond.
Monroe was arrested Wednesday after being released from a UNC Health facility where she had been recovering since the October 8 crash that killed students Trevor Merritt, Jai’Hyon Elliott, and Nick Williams. Police say Monroe was driving a gray 2024 Honda Civic at high speed when she lost control, ran off the roadway, struck a utility pole, and then crashed into a tree.
Family members filled one side of the small courtroom Thursday as deputies brought forward Monroe in a wheelchair. She clutched a stuffed animal, her arm in a cast, and winced as she looked toward the glass separating her from her relatives. Her mother lifted her face toward the ceiling and began to cry as Monroe entered.
Charges and bond decision
Monroe is charged with:
- Three counts of involuntary manslaughter
- Willful speed competition
- Speeding
- Careless and reckless driving
- Insurance violation
Judge Tiffany Marie Whitfield kept Monroe’s $300,000 secured bond in place and set her next court date for 9 a.m. on December 10.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that Monroe posted bond and was released from custody at 4:12 p.m. on Thursday.
Prosecutor outlines crash sequence
District Attorney Billy West presented the state’s findings, telling the court Monroe was driving 93 mph on Rosehill Road on the night of the crash. The posted speed limit on that stretch of Rosehill Road is 45 mph.
West said Monroe had picked up the three students from football practice shortly before the crash and that investigators determined she and her sister were racing in two different vehicles.
Monroe’s sister, Destini Rhinada Genwright, turned herself in to the Cumberland County Detention Center last month and faces charges of willful speed competition, speeding, careless and reckless driving, and an insurance violation.
Defense cites medical complications
Monroe’s attorney, Aerial Chatman, asked Whitfield to reconsider her bond, citing significant medical needs that he said are not being adequately treated at the county detention center.
Chatman said Monroe has a rod in her leg, one arm that is non-functioning, and the other in a cast. Her injuries, Chatman said, have made basic tasks—such as feeding and cleaning herself—difficult while in custody.
He said Monroe recently fell inside the jail and hit her head.
“Monroe has expressed remorse and understands the severity of the circumstances,” he said.
Chatman requested either an unsecured bond or permission for Monroe to be transferred to a medical facility equipped to provide ongoing treatment. Whitfield denied the request.
Monroe is scheduled to return to court at 9 a.m. on December 10 at the Cumberland County Courthouse.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 to include that Dymond Monroe posted bond and was released from custody, according to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Education reporter Dasia Williams can be reached at dwilliams@cityviewnc.com.