Teenager facing charges in fatal collision following pursuit by NC authorities

Two teenagers tragically lost their lives following a high-speed chase that ended in a car colliding with a tree near the boundary of Johnston County and Wayne County in North Carolina. The incident took place on Sunday night, as a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper spotted a blue Ford Mustang speeding at over 120 miles per hour on US 70 in Wayne County at approximately 11:26 p.m. Despite attempts to pull the car over, the driver refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that spanned both counties. The driver eventually lost control of the vehicle on Pinkney Road near Kenly, causing the car to crash into a tree. Two rear-seat passengers were ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene, despite efforts by emergency medical services. The driver and front-seat passenger, who were wearing seat belts, were taken into custody without incident and transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Alcohol, marijuana, and firearms were found in the vehicle. The deceased passengers were identified as 18-year-old Joshua Jerome Carter Jr. and 16-year-old Braylen Newson. The driver and the front-seat passenger's identities have not been released due to their ages and impending criminal charges. The crash is currently under investigation. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported being alerted by the sound of sirens and emergency lights, pointing out the crash site, where flowers were later placed as a memorial.