Charges reduced in fatal Forsyth County crash involving deputy after troopers present new evidence, district attorney says

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) -- New information in a fatal deputy-involved crash in Forsyth County last month has led to a driver's charges being reduced, according to Forsyth County District Attorney James O'Neill. Investigators for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol brought new evidence that has impacted the prosecution of a case against 19-year-old Bryan Castillo. Preliminary reports and roadway evidence initially indicated that the crash on March 7 occurred in 24-year-old Deputy Kaleb Mitchell’s travel lane and that Castillo was driving over 100 mph seconds before impact. Based on that information and other factors known to investigators from the NCSHP, the NCSHP presented probable cause to an independent magistrate, and Castillo was originally charged on March 9 with: The NCSHP has now come forward and presented evidence to the prosecutor’s office that in the seconds before the crash, Mitchell was apparently in Castillo’s travel lane. Investigators say it appears that Castillo turned his vehicle left of center to avoid a crash, and Mitchell turned his vehicle to the right at nearly the same time into what would have been his proper lane of travel, causing the two vehicles to collide. There is no evidence available at this time to indicate what would have caused Mitchell to be in the wrong lane seconds before the crash. Based on the new evidence presented by the NCSHP, investigators say there is no probable cause to believe that Castillo should be prosecuted for second-degree murder, misdemeanor death by vehicle, or driving left of center, and those charges are now dismissed. Probable cause does exist to charge Mr. Castillo with reckless driving and speeding. The NCSHP released the following statement on Monday about the new evidence. FCSO and community members gathered at Woodland Baptist Church to say their final goodbyes to Kaleb. The church was filled with grief, gratitude and love as they honored Kaleb. Kaleb is from Walnut Cove. He spent time with the King Police Department before becoming an FCSO deputy. Before becoming a deputy, Kaleb built friendships at South Stokes High School. One of those friends said they first met as freshmen playing football and later wrestled together on the school’s wrestling team. Jackson Boles said even back then, Kaleb was passionate about becoming a law enforcement officer. “So when he did become one, … it wasn’t a huge surprise, and he just fit that position so well … We couldn’t have asked for a better officer protecting us … He pushed everyone around him to be better. He always made sure that you felt wanted. He would always check in on you … He’d be there to help you out … If we take away anything, anything from this … hopefully it’s that. And at least the kind of person Kaleb was: caring, passionate … The kind of friend anyone would admire to be,” Boles said. A proclamation was made, making March 7 Deputy Mitchell Day to honor the sacrifice Kaleb gave serving his community.  “I don’t have to say it. It goes without saying. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office … give our best every day. We raise the bar every day, and when we lay one of ours to rest, we give our best. We make no mistake about that. This is who we are. This is how we show up,” Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said. Inside the church, family, friends and fellow law enforcement remembered him as a husband, father, son and deputy who gave his life serving the community he loved. Outside the church, the North Carolina Troopers Association caisson Unit carried Kaleb on his final ride as a solemn tribute. During the service, memories were shared of the 24-year-old deputy. People remembered not just the badge he wore but the person behind it. Kimbrough spoke about the time he spent with Kaleb’s family, who shared stories about the things he loved like grilling, wrestling and spending time with his young son, wife and siblings.  The King police chief also spoke, remembering the young officer’s constant smile and commitment to the profession. “He was never a complainer. Never grumbled. Did his job to the T and had that grin on him every single day. If he had any struggles or problems, you would never know it because of the smile he had on his face,” King Police Chief Jordan Boyette said. Some of the most emotional moments came when Kaleb’s father spoke and when Kaleb’s wife, Hailey, spoke about their life together. The two met in the fourth-grade and remained inseparable ever since. She shared the memory of when their marriage ceremony ended and a rainbow appeared.  “We have so many memories we could share, but that would take too long … Never been a part this long since we were in middle school, and it is killing me to open my phone and not to be able to text or call him. We did everything together,” Hailey said. Hailey also encouraged law enforcement in attendance, especially those who responded to the tragic crash, to leave the service the way Kaleb would want them to by hugging their husbands and wives longer and holding their children tighter. Kaleb’s father also spoke and stood at the podium with one of Kaleb’s brothers beside him, who also serves as a deputy with the FCSO. Kaleb’s father said that behind the badge, he was a son who never left home without hugging them and saying the words “I love you.” “He was the man of God we hoped he would become.  He was so brave because he was a man who knew exactly where he was going. The world saw the uniform, the badge and man who was fearless. We saw the soul behind the badge. He was the son that never left without a hug and an I love you, the big brother who turned living room into wrestling mat, nerf gun war and father greatest mission was the happiness of his wife and babies,” said Jermel Mitchell, Kaleb’s father. King police chief remembers Forsyth County Deputy Kaleb Mitchell Governor Josh Stein ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday to honor Kaleb. Kimbrough says Kaleb’s name will be engraved at the Forsyth County Public Safety Center and at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. “Kaleb grew up in Walnut Cove, loving motorcycles, traveling, going out on the boat, and doing anything that allowed him to spend time with his whole family. He was a 2020 graduate of South Stokes High School, where he played football and became a champion wrestler, all-conference three years, and a three-time state qualifier. In 2021, he graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training at Forsyth Technical Community College, where he received the ‘Best Driver Award’ in his class. Upon graduation from BLET, Kaleb was hired to join the King Police Department, where he served from 2021-2024. The little kindergartner who had drawn a picture of himself as a police officer had grown up to fulfill his calling. During this time, he worked as part of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and successfully completed many courses of training for his career,” his obituary reads.