Teen driver charged in fatal wreck near Panther Creek High School

The announcement comes two days after Laura Yost, 15, of Morrisville, died of injuries she suffered in the Sept. 16 wreck in which she was seated in the backseat of a Chevrolet Blazer when a dump truck hit it.

Yost's 16-year-old brother, who was in the front passenger seat, was also injured.

Cary police say the driver, Spencer Saunders, 16, of Morrisville, rushed through a safety light around 7 a.m. and failed to yield the right of way when he turned left from N.C. Highway 55 onto McCrimmon Parkway near the high school.

A misdemeanor death by motor vehicle charge is a Class A1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of up to 150 days in jail.

Saunders, who was close friends with Yost, has expressed remorse about the collision.

On Tuesday, he posted a message on Twitter reading, in part:

"This truly breaks my heart. I'm so sorry this happened, please forgive me."

Yost's funeral has been planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, at 804 High House Road, Cary.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Apex Funeral Home, at 550 W. Williams St., Apex.