Man Charged After Teen Dies In Rocky Mount Wreck

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — A truck driver accused of causing a fatal accident in Rocky Mount will be in court on Friday.

According to investigators, Winfourd Whitaker was driving drunk on Christmas when he ran a red light and hit the passenger side of a car in which Shantae Smith, 16, was riding. Smith died Wednesday at Pitt Memorial Hospital. The driver of the car Smith was in also suffered injuries.

Whitaker, who was on his way to visit his daughter for Christmas, was charged with a red light violation and driving while impaired. He is being held on $20,000 bond.

Death by motor vehicle is a Class G felony and carries a possible eight- to 16-month prison sentence for first-time offenders. Authorities said Whitaker does not have a criminal record.