Three E.E. Smith High School football players lost their lives in a devastating car crash on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, when the vehicle they were riding in struck a telephone pole on Rosehill Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The crash, which occurred shortly after 7 p.m., also left the 21-year-old driver critically injured and fighting for her life at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
The victims were identified as Trevor Jayshawn Merritt, 17, Nicholas Kole Williams, 17, and Jai’Hyon Lamont Elliott, 18—all seniors at E.E. Smith High School and members of the school’s Golden Bulls varsity football team. According to the Fayetteville Police Department, the gray 2024 Honda Civic ran off the road, struck a telephone pole, traveled down an embankment and collided with a tree. All three students died at the scene.
The driver, Dymond Monroe, was airlifted to UNC Hospitals with serious injuries. Monroe’s mother, Kenisha Lewis, revealed that her daughter is a mother to a seven-month-old baby and an Army veteran who served on active duty from June 2022 to January 2025 as a signal operations support specialist stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Monroe was discharged as a private first class. As of October 15, Monroe remained in critical condition, unable to walk or talk.
On October 15, Fayetteville police determined that excessive speed was the primary factor in the crash. The speed limit along Rosehill Road is 45 mph, but a sign warns drivers that an upcoming curve should be taken at 35 mph. Cumberland County court records revealed that Monroe had been previously charged with speeding on Rosehill Road in August. Documents showed that on August 2, Monroe was traveling 51 mph in a 35 mph zone, approximately three miles from where the fatal crash occurred.
The young men were heading to a birthday celebration for a friend following football practice when the crash occurred. Trevor Merritt wore number 11 as a linebacker, while Jai’Hyon Elliott and Nicholas Williams played defensive back, wearing numbers 21 and 4, respectively. All three were born in Cumberland County and were in their final year at E.E. Smith High School.
Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Eric Bracy expressed condolences and spoke to the lasting impact the students left behind. He indicated that from across Cumberland County and beyond, the community was wrapping its arms around the E.E. Smith community and standing with the families, loved ones, classmates, teammates and school family as they grieve this devastating loss.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through the community. South View High School canceled its homecoming game against E.E. Smith that was scheduled for October 10. The game was eventually rescheduled for October 14, where a ceremony honoring the three players took place before kickoff. 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 presented them with a commemorative plaque.
South View Principal Phyliss Jackson stated, “South View stands shoulder-to-shoulder with E.E. Smith during this time of heartbreak. This ceremony is not just about football—it is about family, unity, and reminding one another that we are stronger together.”
E.E. Smith Principal Larry Parker explained that the decision to play the postponed game came directly from the team’s football players. Parker indicated that they did not want to rush the students into anything just to keep a schedule and instead took cues from them, and the players said they wanted to play.
A vigil held at Westover Recreation Center on October 11 drew dozens of community members who gathered for a balloon release in honor of the three teens. Attendees noted that the three used to play at the park together long before they became teammates at E.E. Smith High School.
Jai’Hyon Elliott’s grandmother, Lillie Davis, shared that her grandson had dreams of playing college football. Davis indicated that while the crash was devastating, the outpouring of support from those in Fayetteville made things easier, noting that while it has been rough for the family, they persevere with everybody praying for strength and peace.
On a GoFundMe page to raise money for Trevor Merritt’s funeral expenses, his mother Bobbie Merritt wrote that instead of planning her son’s 18th birthday for October 30, she was preparing for his funeral. She noted that Trevor stayed up late nights updating his Huddle reels in hopes of a football recruiter scouting him for a college team and would have her watch the reels and give him feedback on how to improve them.
Funeral services for the three players were held over consecutive days. Visitation for Trevor Merritt took place on October 16, with his funeral service held on October 17 at True Vine Ministries, followed by interment at Lafayette Memorial Park. Visitation for Jai’Hyon Elliott was held on October 17, with his service on October 18 at Global Kingdom Impact. Nicholas Williams’ family held private funeral services.
In response to the crash, Fayetteville officials announced plans to conduct a comprehensive traffic study of Rosehill Road. City spokesperson Loren Bymer stated the study will review five years of crash data and the cause of each crash, examine existing comprehensive traffic, pedestrian and bike plans, and assess the condition of signs and pavement markings. According to city and state traffic data, 168 crashes have occurred on Rosehill Road since 2020, with 54 percent at intersections with Country Club Drive and Ramsey Street.
The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit continues investigating the crash, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective C. Lewis at 910-818-1872.