Mount Olive student dies in crash, 3 others injured

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the four students were in a car that crashed on Cricket Ridge Road in Wayne County.

Peyton Lee, a senior agriculture major from Four Oaks, died and James Noah Johnson, a junior agriculture major from Pinetown, was airlifted to Vidant Memorial Hospital in Greenville and where he was in critical condition.

Dylan Stacy, 20, a senior agriculture student from Sanford, and Adrienne Crawford, a junior psychology major from Middlesboro, Kentucky, were treated for injuries at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro and released.

The State Highway Patrol told WRAL News that alcohol and speed were both factors in the crash. None of the passengers were wearing a seatbelt, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Stacy, the driver of the car, is charged with DWI, careless and reckless driving, speeding and several other charges.

State Highway Patrol leaders said a 2019 Honda was traveling north on Cricket Ridge Road when it crossed the center line. The car then ran off the left side of the road and collided with a mailbox and three drivway brick barriers, eventually flipping and landing on its roof.

University of Mount Olive President Dr. H. Edward Croom said, “It is an extremely sad day for the University of Mount Olive. We are a close-knit family here at the university, and this has hit us hard. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Lee family, and we uplift all of the others in our prayers as they continue to receive medical treatment.”

On Friday, family and friends also gathered at Rodgers Chapel for a night of prayer.

The university said mental health experts will be available for students and staff.