Sampson family coping with double tragedy after teen's crash cited in death of her cousin, other driver

Azlynn Bass, 16, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of death by motor vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign in connection with the crash at the intersection of Roanoke and Straw Pond roads near Newton Grove at about 7 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Relatives said she is recovering from her injuries after she was released to her parents' custody.

Miranda Butler, 17, was killed while a passenger in the backseat of Bass' Jeep. The two are cousins, family members told WRAL News Friday.

Authorities identified Willie McMillan, 69, as the driver of the pickup truck that collided with Bass' Jeep. He was also killed during the wreck.

Four other people, including some inside a disabled car on the side of the road that was also struck by Bass' Jeep, were taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Information about their conditions was pending Friday evening.

Butler was a junior at Midway High School, and school administrators lowered the flag on Friday to half-staff in memory of the teen. A vigil was planned for 6 p.m. to also pay tribute to the girl.

A small, makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, balloons and flowers is growing near the spot where Butler lost her life.

Her mother said she was devastated by the loss of her daughter, who had started a ministry and was encouraging others to do well in their lives.

"Miranda was my blessing. She was my angel," Patty Butler said. "I truly believe in my heart God sent her as an angel to me."

Scott McMillan, the son of other victim, spoke fondly about his dad on Friday.

"He worked hard on the farm," Scott McMillan said. "He instilled in me (that) education was the key."

Bass' mother, Phyllis Davis-Bass, said her daughter had been a licensed driver for just a week when the accident occurred.

The family had gathered to celebrate a wedding anniversary, and Miranda Butler suggested the younger girl drive.

"So they jumped in the car, and little did we know the day that was supposed to be a celebration would be the end of (Miranda's) life," Davis-Bass said.