Three E.E. Smith High School football players lost their lives on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, when the car they were riding in crashed into a telephone pole on Rosehill Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The single-vehicle accident, which occurred shortly after 7 p.m., also left the driver fighting for her life in critical condition.
The victims were identified as Trevor Jayshawn Merritt, 17, Nicholas Kole Williams, 17, and Jai’Hyon Lamont Elliott, 18. All three were seniors at E.E. Smith High School and members of the Golden Bulls varsity football team. The driver, 21-year-old Dymond Monroe, was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill with serious injuries.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers responded to the 2700 block of Rosehill Road around 7:22 p.m. after the gray 2024 Honda Civic ran off the road. The vehicle struck a telephone pole in front of Haymount Presbyterian Church, then traveled down an embankment and sidewalk before colliding with a tree. All three students were pronounced dead at the scene.
On Wednesday, October 15, police confirmed that excessive speed was the primary factor in the crash. The speed limit along Rosehill Road is 45 mph, but signs alert drivers that the curve where the crash occurred requires speeds of 35 mph. Cumberland County court records revealed Monroe had been charged with speeding on a different section of Rosehill Road in August, when she was clocked driving 51 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Monroe’s mother told reporters that her daughter, an Army veteran and mother to a seven-month-old, remained in critical condition as of mid-October and was unable to walk or talk. Monroe had served on active duty from June 2022 to January 2025 as a signal operations support specialist stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, before her discharge as a private first class.
The crash devastated the E.E. Smith High School community. The students had been heading to a birthday celebration for a friend after football practice when the accident occurred. Cumberland County Schools released a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss and announcing that the district’s Student Services team would be on-site to provide counseling and emotional support.
Merritt, who wore number 11 as a linebacker, was just days away from his 18th birthday on October 30. His mother, Bobbie Merritt, wrote on a GoFundMe page that instead of planning her son’s birthday, she was preparing for his funeral. She described how Trevor had stayed up late updating his Huddle reels, hoping a college football recruiter would scout him. Principal Larry Parker noted that the decision to play the postponed game came directly from the team’s football players.
Elliott, who wore number 21 as a defensive back and celebrated his 18th birthday in December, had dreams of playing college football. His grandmother, Lillie Davis, indicated that while the crash had been rough on the family, the outpouring of community support had helped them persevere. His family described him on a GoFundMe page as an outstanding athlete who worked hard for everything he wanted and inspired everyone around him with his determination and spirit.
Williams, number 4, also a defensive back with a December birthday, had private funeral services according to his family’s wishes. All three students were born in Cumberland County.
South View High School postponed its homecoming game against E.E. Smith, originally scheduled for October 10, out of respect for the grieving community. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday, October 14, and included a special pregame ceremony. Principal Phyliss Jackson of South View stated, “South View stands shoulder-to-shoulder with E.E. Smith during this time of heartbreak.”
The ceremony featured a balloon release, a moment of silence, and a special presentation. Players from both teams presented the victims’ families with helmets and sashes, while South View gave them a plaque honoring the three players. Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, an E.E. Smith alumnus, expressed that the community’s heart was broken over the loss of young men who were part of Fayetteville’s future.
Hundreds attended a vigil on Saturday, October 11, at Westover Recreation Center on Bonanza Drive. Attendees shared memories of the three young men, who had played together at the park long before becoming teammates at E.E. Smith.
Funeral services were held over several days. Merritt’s visitation took place on October 16, with his funeral service on October 17 at True Vine Ministries, followed by interment at Lafayette Memorial Park. Elliott’s visitation occurred on October 17, with his service on October 18 at Global Kingdom Impact. Williams’ family held private services.
In response to the crash, Fayetteville officials announced a comprehensive traffic study of Rosehill Road. City spokesperson Loren Bymer explained the study would review five years of crash data, examine existing conditions of signs and pavement markings, and evaluate the comprehensive traffic plan. Since 2020, 168 crashes have occurred on the four-mile stretch of Rosehill Road, with 54 percent happening at intersections with Country Club Drive and Ramsey Street. Only one other fatal crash occurred on the road during that period.
The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit continues investigating the crash. Detective C. Lewis is asking anyone with information to contact the department at 910-818-1872.
