ECU student charged in car accident deaths pleads guilty

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The ECU student police say fell asleep at the wheel and caused a deadly accident last year pleaded guilty in court today.

Kamil Arrington pleaded guilty in Pitt County court on two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Arrington was given a suspended sentence, one year supervised probation and 100 hours of community service.

Police say Arrington fell asleep at the wheel with her three friends in the car last year, when they ran off the road near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive in Greenville.

Briana Gather and Victoria Carter were both killed.

All three were pledges of Delta Sigma Theta sorority at ECU.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina University student police say fell asleep at the wheel and caused a deadly accident last year is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Kamil Arrington is charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Police tell us Arrington fell asleep at the wheel with her three friends in the car last November.

They ran off the road near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive in Greenville.

Briana Gather and Victoria Carter were both killed.

---Previous Story, Case continued for ECU student charged in car accident deaths---

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU student police say fell asleep at the wheel and caused a deadly accident last November had her case continued in a Pitt County court on Tuesday.

Kamil Arrington is charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Those charges stem from a car accident that happened on November 20. Police say Arrington fell asleep at the wheel with her three friends in the car; they ran off the road near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive in Greenville.

Briana Gather and Victoria Carter were both killed.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU student who police say fell asleep behind the wheel and caused a deadly accident last year is expected in court.

Kamil Arrington was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Last November, police say Arrington was driving when her car ran off the road near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive.

The car hit a tree and killed Briana Gather and Victoria Carter. Both women were 20-years-old and members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Arrington is expected in District Court for a morning court session.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Police have charged the driver of a car that killed two ECU sorority pledges.

20 year old Kamil Arrington of Nashville has been charged with 2 counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after police say she fell asleep at the wheel.

The accident that killed the two sorority sisters from ECU happened just before 7 A.M. November 20th near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive.  The car Arrington was driving ran off the road and hit a tree.

Victoria Carter and Briana Gather were killed in the accident.

Arrington has been released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

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RALEIGH, N.C.- Family and friends of two ECU students killed in a tragic car accident one week ago are taking today to say goodbye.  Victoria Carter and Briana Gather were with two other women sorority pledges last Saturday morning, when their car hit a tree.  Carter died on the scene and Gather later died at Pitt Memorial Hospital from her injuries.  Both women were just 20 years old.  Carter's funeral was held at Antioch Bible Fellowship Church in Raleigh Saturday. 

When you ask Victoria Carter's family to describe the person she was, just a few words come to mind.  “Victoria, she was a very loving person,” said Paulene Beady, Victoria’s great aunt. 

Victoria’s cousin, Christian White said, “She was real loving and caring.  She could make friends with anybody.”

Family and friends say even those who didn't know Victoria are touched by the short, but powerful life she lived.  The 20-year-old was killed in a single-car accident the morning of her induction into delta sigma theta sorority.  Even those who didn't know her personally have heard of carter's outstanding leadership on campus.

“That legacy she's leaving is a wonderful legacy,” said Mary Bennett Sutton, Former Director, Delta Sigma Theta.  “All young people should just look to that and think, wow, I can do the same thing.”

“The community has rallied and embraced this family in a way that absolutely restores our faith in humanity, hands down,” said Terry Spicer, the Carter Family spokesperson.  Spicer says donations have been pouring in all week.  “As of five o'clock yesterday afternoon, the funeral expenses were paid in full,” she said.  A local catering company donated enough food to feed a hundred people.  “This young girl, Victoria Carter, touched everybody.  None of us even knew her, I had never met her.  I'd met her mother previously.  But it's just a reassurance that there's still a whole lot of good left in this world.  There are a lot of hard times, but even in the midst of this tragedy, her ray of sunshine touched community in a way that just reassures hope and faith.”

Loved ones say in the midst of their tragic loss, the carter family will pull through.  “Because they know that their help comes from the Lord, they can lean on him and trust on him and depend that he's going to see them through,” said Pastor Charles Marsh, a family friend.

Of course there will be tears.   “It's an angel that's gone on to be with the Lord and I miss her so much,” said Beady.  But friends and family say this is a home going celebration. 

Gather's funeral was also today at St. Peter's World Outreach Center in Winston-Salem. 

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Saturday, family and friends will say goodbye to an ECU student killed in a wreck last weekend. 

20-year-old Victoria Carter was with three other women sorority pledges Saturday morning, when their car hit a tree. Carter died on the scene and another woman, Briana Gather, later died at Pitt Memorial Hospital from her injuries.

Carter's funeral will start at 11 am at the Antioch Bible Fellowship Church in Raleigh.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - On Monday night, the ECU community mourned two students who died in a car accident over the weekend.

Four ECU students were in the car.  All were pledges of Delta Sigma Theta.

It happened near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive Saturday morning.

20-year-old Victoria Carter died at the scene.  And 20-year-old Briana Gather died later at PCMH.

19-year-old Taylor King was treated and has been released from the hospital.  The condition of the driver 20-year-old Kamil Arrington is unknown at this time.

At a vigil, fellow students didn't just remember these two young women---they also learned a lesson from their deaths.

It was evident by the hundreds gathered, Saturday's tragedy has crossed more than just sorority lines.

We may be in different fraternities and sororities and they be called different things and have different backgrounds, but we're all based on the same morals of being their for each other,” said one attendee.

Sentiments even echoed by even those who have never pledged.

At the fountain outside Wright Auditorium, it was about four families: the Gather family, the Carter family, the ECU family, and the family of the South Athletic Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.--- all adjusting to the loss together.

People spoke of the many gifts one can give, few compared to the gift of friendship.  And understanding how to replacing the sorrow--with support in numbers.

"This is a great experience,” said Delta Sigma Theta’s  Sharise Jones.  “It's a sad experience, but it will help you in the long run--to understand the importance of life.”

ECU’s Office of Greek Life has set up a memorial webpage for both young women where you can  express your support.

Organizers will then take those messages and make them into a book for the families.  Visit www.ecu.edu/greeklife

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - The ECU community is mourning the deaths of two students who died in a car accident over the weekend.

Four ECU students, all pledges of the same sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, were involved in the accident. 

Police say the driver lost control and hit a tree near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive at about 6:30 Saturday morning.

20-year-old Victoria Carter died at the scene and 20-year-old Briana Gather died later at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The other two people in the car also Went to the hospital.

19-year-old Taylor King was treated and has been released from the hospital. The condition of the driver, 20-year-old Kamil Arrington, is unknown at this time.

Tonight, fellow students remember these two young women at Wright Auditorium at ECU for that vigil.
    
Students with the Black Student Union at ECU said they had to move the event from Hendrix Theatre to Wright Auditorium because of that expected turnout for Victoria Carter and Briana Gather.
    
Earlier today, we found out new information on exactly what happened the morning of the fatal car wreck on Greenville Blvd.

"They were actually going to be inducted that Saturday night and they were headed to get their hair done in preparation for the event," said Virginia Hardy, ECU Student Affairs.

Going to get their hair done at 6:30 in the morning, that's when Victoria Carter's father says police told him the driver, Kamil Arrington, feel asleep at the wheel for a brief moment.

Just long enough, Carter says, to allow her foot to rest on the gas peddle and accelerate their vehicle.

Incident reports released by police say the car ran off the road, clipped a utility pole and struck a tree, but police have yet to publically release the cause of the accident and say they are still investigating.

"We look at this and think, "why"... We do ask the question, "Why" and there really isn't any rhyme or reason it's just an accident, an unfortunate accident that took place," said Hardy.

A question of "why" that Victoria Carter's father, Gerald Carter, says he couldn't bring himself to ask when visiting Arrington in the hospital.

"My basic concern for stopping by there was to let Kamil know that the family holds no grudges against her and stuff like that and we are there for her if she needs us."

It's a feeling of support echoed during a memorial celebration and candel-light vigil for the lives of both women.

"It affects really all students.  Both of these young ladies were very involved on campus, outgoing, outstanding personalities and overall just outstanding leaders on our campus," said Keith Tingley, Director of ECU Greek Life.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - The ECU community is in mourning after a deadly accident involving a car full of students.

The accident happened around 6:30 Saturday morning.

Four ECU students, all pledges of the same sorority, were involved in the accident.

Police say the driver lost control and hit a tree near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood Drive.  

20-year-old Victoria Carter died at the scene and 20-year-old Briana Gather died later at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The other two people in the car were also taken to Pitt Memorial. 19-year-old Taylor King is listed under fair condition. The condition of the driver, 20-year-old Kamil Arrington, is unknown at this time.

New details about just what happened this past Saturday morning are just emerging.

Virginia Hardy, vice provost of Student Affairs did talk with us earlier this morning.

She says the women were on their way to get their hair done that Saturday morning when the accident occurred. Hardy also says they had finished pledging the sorority Delta Sigma Theta here at ECU and their induction was Saturday night.

We also now know that there was a second car with them at the time. However, we haven't yet confirmed who was in that car.

Officials at ECU say they're hearts go out to the students involved in the wreck and that's why the school is fully supporting the candle-light vigil and celebration tonight at 6pm at Wright Auditorium.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - ECU's campus community is in mourning tonight after a deadly accident involving a car full of students.

It happened early Saturday morning.  One student died at the scene.  A second died later in the hospital from her injuries.

They are 20-year-olds Victoria Carter and Briana Gather.  We learned about Gather's death today.

The other two in the car were 19-year-old Taylor King and the driver, 20-year-old Kamil Arrington.  King's in fair condition.  There's no word how Arrington is doing.

Carter and Gather both sat in the back seat of the car.

Police say Arrington lost control and hit at tree on Greenville Boulevard near Rosewood Drive.

All four belonged to the same pledge class of a sorority on campus.

Nine on Your Side spoke with some of the people closest to them today.

They say Victoria Carter worked tirelessly to lift up them through music and poetry.  The ECU junior planned to go into entertainment law.

Friends say Briana Gather loved to bake and wanted to become a pediatrician

All of them say they won't let the women's stories fade away.

"She was someone that really was God's angel, sent to help us.  It's like she was visiting here and now she's back home and I wish she could have visited longer," said Jenna Christie-Tabron, friend of Victoria Carter.

A visit that lasted for 20 short years, Victoria Carter - a woman who wrote poetry for her friends, died Saturday morning after the car she was riding in struck a tree.

"And I broke down and I cried.  I woke my other two roommates up told them what happened and it was chaos from that point on," said Christie-Tabron.

It was news that friend Christie-Tabron received after answering a call from Carter's father, who says he’s daughter’s death hasn't quite sunk in.

"The grief process takes awhile.  I mean, it's not just a here-today-gone-tomorrow, and tomorrow back to things as normal," said Gerald Carter, Victoria Carter’s father.

Friends and roommates of Briana Gather know the grief process all too well.

"We still feel like we're in a nightmare and we're going to wake up and it's not going to be true, but it's reality now and we're dealing with it and it's hard because we've known each other since freshman year and now we come into the apartment and it's only two of us when it use to be three... it's so difficult," said Brittany Myers, friend of Briana Gather.

"She wasn't just a friend to us… she was a sister, we were like a family.  We were basically like a family," said Makeda Parker, another friend of Briana Gather.

Carter's father says they've got to keep moving on...

"When the actual emotional aspect of it hits you and it triggers a tear... you have to be man enough to let it go and if you have to cry... cry, but don't forget you've got to keep it moving," said Carter.

It's a story of life that the ECU Black Student Union, along with ICON Modeling Troop hope to show as they host a candle-light vigil Monday night at 6 in honor of Carter and all the girls involved in that car accident.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. -Another ECU student involved in a car accident that happened early Saturday morning has died after being in critical condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital. 20-year-old, Briana Gather, was in a car with three others before the driver, 20-year-old Kamil Arrington, lost control and hit a tree near rosewood drive on Greenville Blvd. Gather was in the backseat at the time of the crash along with 20-year-old Victoria carter. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck. Friends and family members tell Nine On Your Side that all were part of the pledge class for Delta Sigma Theta at East Carolina. Friends of Carter say they are still in shock.

"Someone that we loved, someone that we shared our times with, that we lived with... Was gone, when we expected to see her the next day, today," friend Jenna Christi-Tabron said.

 Nine on your side sat down with friends and family of Carter and talked about their memories of their friend and daughter. We'll have the full interview tonight at 11.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday at Wright Auditoriumon by the Black Student Union and ICON Modeling Troop. Victoria was president of the ICON modeling troop.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - An ECU student is dead and three others were hospitalized after a single-car accident in Greenville early Saturday morning. Friends and family members tell Nine On Your Side that all were part of the pledge class for Delta Sigma Theta at East Carolina. The woman killed has been identified as 20-year-old Victoria Carter. Police say she was one of the passengers in the car when it crashed into a tree near the intersection of Greenville Boulevard and Rosewood drive. Her friends Kamil Arrington, Taylor king and Briana gather were all taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital.  King is listed in fair condition. There's no word on the conditions of the other two. Police say it does not look like alcohol was a factor. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday at Wright Auditoriumon by the Black Student Union and ICON Modeling Troop. Victoria was president of the ICON modeling troop.