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Family Spreads Teen's Ashes; Officer Awaits Court Date After Fatal Accident

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DURHAM, N.C. — Saturday marked a sad night for friends and family of a 17-year-old boy killed last month in a car wreck.

Matthew West's family spread his ashes during a private ceremony at the YMCA's Camp Canata, where West had been both camper and counselor for 10 years.

The teenager was killed when the Jeep he was riding in collided with a Durham police car.

West was thrown from the vehicle and critically injured. He died a week later.

Officer Alfred Rodriguez is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle because investigators say he ran a flashing red light. He will be in court next month.

Rodriguez was not on an emergency call when he ran through the light and into the path of the Jeep. If convicted, he will lose his job.

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