ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — An 18-year-old driver has been charged in connection with the fatal crash Saturday night on Interstate 40 that killed two teenage passengers and seriously injured two others, State Highway Patrol confirmed Tuesday.
William Tyson Neumann, 18, of Augusta, Ga., has been charged with reckless driving and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, said First Sgt. Christopher Knox.
Neumann is listed online as a student-athlete and senior leader (house proctor) at Christ School, an all-male boarding school, in Asheville.
The crash was reported about 11:31 p.m. Saturday, after Neumann was driving a 2015 Volvo eastbound on the interstate and attempted to take the off-ramp at Exit 53B, according to a synopsis from State Highway Patrol.
The synopsis stated that the vehicle was traveling “too fast to safely negotiate the off-ramp,” lost control, went off the left side of the roadway and stuck a tree.
Along with Neumann, there were five passengers in the vehicle.
Two back-seat passengers, Sophie Gordon, 16, of Charlotte, and Robert Fox, 19, of Wilmette, Ill., died in the crash, State Highway Patrol reported.
Gordon was a Myers Park High School student, the school reported via its social media accounts.
Like Neumann, Fox also attended Christ School. The school on Tuesday posted an online tribute to “R.J.” Fox, calling him a brilliant math student and top scholar who was a promising lacrosse player and “excelled in every aspect of campus life.”
Two other passengers reportedly sustained critical injuries and were being treated at Mission Hospital. Via Facebook, Charlotte Catholic High School has identified them as students Abby Robinson and Isabella Tarantelli.
Neuman and another passenger also were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, State Highway Patrol reported.