Raleigh woman, 29, charged in fatal wreck

Raleigh, N.C. — A 21-year-old Nash County woman died early Wednesday when the Pontiac SUV she was riding in crashed in northeast Raleigh, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

The SUV's driver, Lydia Marie Mills, 29, is charged with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving without a license or registration and failure to maintain lane control.

Amanda Brooke Massengill, of 15906 Old Smithfield Road in Bailey, died in the wreck.

Investigators said Mills, of 4104 Labrador Dr., was driving home from a nearby gathering around 2:30 a.m. when she lost control of the SUV near her home, went off the right side of the road, hit a tree and spun around before coming to rest in a ditch.

"Our indications, at this point, are that there was some alcohol involved and, of course, a little too much speed in the curve," 1st Sgt. Kenneth Cooke said.

Mills was taken to WakeMed following the wreck and then transported to the Wake County jail.

Earlier Tuesday evening, Wake County deputies cited Mills for misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, Wake County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Phyllis Stephens said. She said the assault and wreck were not related.

Mills was expected to make her first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

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Because the suspect is a woman, everyone is talking about getting her help and not to judge her. If it had been a male suspect that killed while being drunk, the same posters would be writing about him being arrogant, mean and uncaring to do this thing.

Being a woman is a big, big plus but I don't see any feminist complaining.

andrewthomasregan
February 8, 2013 12:36 p.m.

But it is ok to stab someone?

Sweetgrl3
February 1, 2013 1:59 p.m.

This goes out to Sweetgrl3 and some others... I knew the girl personally since I was 16 I am now 29.. What do you mean "STAY AWAY FROM HER SHE IS TROUBLE" . Do you know her? Have you talked to her, have you seen how she is with her daughter.. Nope probally not. She is loving caring person and friend who made a terrible mistake. No one here is to judge her. I am postive half of you in your party years jumped in a car with some friends who had been drinking more than once. Granted nothing happend but what if it had? God is the only one that can give her forgivness and the right path to get better and to get her through this. Not to mention the fact that the girl that passed away was her friend to. I could not imagine having to live with that. But for all of you out there who think that She is a party girl and does this all the time, you are wrong. Don't judge ppl by what the media tells you. They just want to keep you interested so you will keep watching. I hope that she Does find peace

cmc9483
January 31, 2013 6:28 p.m.

Unbelievable. I really hate when anyone I care about is on the roads after 10pm... nothing good happens! Nothing but drunks and ding dings on the roads and at house parties.

eeyorerogers
January 31, 2013 5:02 p.m.

Alcoholics may not admit even to themselves that they are alcoholics but they KNOW they are going to drink therefore they should know they need a ride home before they even start as should anyone else. dontgetmestarted January 31, 2013 9:46 a.m. Report abuse

Alcholics have no control over drinking without rehabilitation. They certainly have no control once they start. I agree she needs punishment, but she also needs help. No one wakes up wanting to have a drinking problem and no one drinks thinking the drive home will kill someone. Give this woman some help and let her live with the permant scars she will have for the rest of her life. I lost a brother to a distracted driver years ago. I dont think the driver was planning to run my brother over and kill him. People make terrible mistakes. Life is sometimes hard. We can all learn from this.

bubbba
January 31, 2013 4:57 p.m.