Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

2:04 a.m. • 5-21-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 82° F
  • Wed: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 84° F
  • Thu: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 82° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2013-02-28 10:52:00
Updated: 2013-02-28 19:46:02

Twelve face alcohol charges in fatal Johnston crash


Bryan Gilmore, fatal Johnston wreck
Bryan Gilmore, fatal Johnston wreck
print friendly

A dozen people face alcohol-related charges in a fatal wreck two weeks ago that killed a Johnston County teen, authorities said Thursday.

William Lee Tippett, 18, of Garner, was thrown from a Ford Ranger pickup in which he was riding in a Feb. 16 crash on westbound Josephine Road, south of Clayton.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said driver Bryan Davis Gilmore, 17, of Smithfield, was going approximately 85 mph in a 45-mph zone when he lost control of the truck on a curve and went off the road, flipping the vehicle several times.

Gilmore and another passenger, Joseph Cole Brewer were taken to WakeMed in Raleigh and were later released.

Tippett, a senior at Cleveland High School, wasn't wearing a seat belt, authorities said.

Investigators said Carl Jerome Watson, 21, of Clayton, legally purchased three 18-packs of beer at a convenience store and then took it to Brewer's home. Brewer allegedly paid for some of it and gave it to underage friends at a party, authorities said.

Watson faces 16 counts of aid and abet underage persons in purchasing and possessing more than 60 malt beverages.

Brewer, 16, of Clayton, faces 11 counts of aid and abet underage persons in possessing malt beverages, underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.

The Highway Patrol charged Gilmore with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired and reckless driving. The state Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement also charged him with underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.

“This senseless death is an unfortunate reminder of the extremely serious problems associated with underage drinking, driving while impaired and providing alcoholic beverages to minors,” state Department of Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan said in a statement.

ALE agents also charged the following people:

  • Jordan James Sansoucie, 16, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.
  • Matthew Edward Blehm, 17, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.
  • Cameron Jerome Grantham, 17, of Raleigh, underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.
  • Raykwon Shaheed Cooley, 16, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage.
  • Nathan Alexander Causby, 17, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage.
  • Jermaine Lamont Johnson, 17, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage.
  • William Dontre Joyner, 18, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana.
  • Emir Gutierrezfiallos, 18, of Smithfield, underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage and driving a motor vehicle without a license.
  • Austin Drake Knight, 17, of Clayton, underage possession of a malt beverage.

45 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 45 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
If you know your parents are gone and it's in your house *not saying it's right*. Simple. Everyone gives up their car keys. Duh!!! See drunk driving is easily prevented.. And that's dumb to charge the parents. They are away from their home. That's like blaming the neighbors for being in their home while your house is being robbed.

You know what? They think they are grown, let them do what they want and reap the consequences of it. I for one, am sick and tired of trying to save these kids from themselves when they obviously don't care enough about themselves or others to be smart. Wanna drink and drive and kill yourselves or others...go ahead. This is all part of the cycle of life. I have myself andmy kids to worry about, not someone else's. GO FOR IT!!!!!

I would just like to inform you all, that while yes the "party" may have taken place at the house of Brewer, no it does not mean the parents knew anything of it. Houses here in Johnston County have acres of land, including that of the Brewer's. Kids get together, and that includes hanging around on the property, thousands of feet away. The parent's knew of them hanging out, and having a bonfire, but knew nothing of the alcohol being involved. They knew where they were at, and fell asleep assuming the child/some of the children were staying the night, AS THEY HAD EVERY OTHER WEEKEND NIGHT PRIOR. Just because these kids made one bad decision this night, does not mean the parents of Brewer should be charged with anything. There's no way that any parent will stay up all night to make sure that their child stays put. They were asleep and they had no idea that the kids had left. They cannot be held accountable for the kid's actions. Tippit/Brewer/Gilmore made the decision, not the parents.

Where is the responsibility for the parents here? The parents/guardians should have some punishment as an example to other irresponsible parents.

Now for the perfect people once again. I never did any under age drinking or did any illegal drugs. I knew plenty of kids that did and some were friends and did stupid things as kids. Their parents didn't know and it wasn't b/c they were neglectful it is because a 16 year old can be sneaky. With that said, some even got caught by my father non the less. Like most of you that seem to forget we all did something stupid that could have got us or a friend killed once as teens. The law has changed now. Those people I knew, luckly didn't die and now are doctors, lawyers, journalist, etc. If they fell under the laws of today and punishment society we have they would just be racking up money of the government system. You people forget what you did as teens, and the fact you just got lucky at one point or another. So, get real with yourself and then comment

View Comments VIEW ALL 45 COMMENTS