Manslaughter charges filed against street racers after car plows into bystanders, killing 3, injurin
By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com
Greene County, AL
Two men who authorities say took part in an illegal street race that ended in the deaths of three people – including a toddler – and injured nine others are now formally charged.
Alabama State Troopers this evening announced charges against Maurice Devonte Wedgeworth, 22, of Eutaw, and Clyde Lawson, 27, of Harvest. Both are each charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.
"It's just so tragic,'' said Greene County District Attorney Greg Griggers.
The crash happened at 5:30 p.m. on Greene County 231 near Eutaw. Those killed were: Rodney Hutton, 30; Jalesa Kiara Merritt, 22; and 3-year-old Jhayden Pippen. All three lived in Eutaw.
Hutton and Jhayden were taken to Greene County Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Merritt was airlifted to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, where she was pronounced dead.
Nine others including children ages 6, 7 and 9 received medical treatment from area hospitals.
King said the preliminary investigation shows a street race between and Oldsmobile Cutlass and a Chevrolet Monte Carlo was taking place when the crash happened. Both drivers fled the scene after the crash.
Hutton, Merritt and Jhayden were all struck by the Cutlass, which was driven by 22-year-old Maruice Devonte Wedgeworth, also of Eutaw. Wedgeworth was taken into custody just before midnight Saturday when he turned himself in to troopers at a hospital. He is being held at the Greene County Jail pending the ongoing investigation, King said.
Lawson, the driver of the Chevrolet, was taken into custody in Huntsville. He has since been returned to Greene County. The deaths and injuries happened when Wedgeworth's Cutlass lost control and crashed into the group of bystanders who had gathered to watch the race.
Street racing is illegal in Alabama. A new law went into effect in June that not only increased the punishment for those arrested for street racing, but also made it a crime to watch. Under the new law, being caught watching the races could result in $500 fines. Previously, they faced no punishment.
"One of the things that encourages drag racers is the crowds of people who come out to observe the races," state Rep. A.J. McCampbell, a Democrat from Demopolis who co-sponsored the legislation, said in a statement to The Tuscaloosa News over the summer. "We realized that if we really want to stop this activity, those spectators also need to face some type of penalty."
A first-time offender convicted of drag racing will have their driver's license suspended for up to six months, face a $500 fine and 30 days of probation. Repeat offenses carry a one-year suspension of a driver's license, a maximum $6,000 fine and a year of probation.
Under the old law, a first-time driver convicted of illegal racing was sentenced up to 90 days in jail or fined $500. Repeat offenders were banned from driving on public highways for up to six months.
Wedgeworth and Lawson remain in the Greene County Jail. Bond has not yet been set.
Griggers told AL.com Monday the "reckless act of street racing" led to the manslaughter warrants issued by his office. "What happened is bad enough but to happen during the holidays,'' he said. "I just feel so sorry for all of the families involved. My prayers are with them. There are some whose injuries are still very serious."