10/10/2025
Praying for their families, friends and the community. Such a devastating loss!
📰 FULL UPDATE: Cumberland County Mourns Loss of Three E.E. Smith Seniors After Tragic Crash 🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️
💔 Cumberland County Schools is facing a heartbreaking loss after three E.E. Smith High School seniors — Jai’hyon Elliott, Trevor Merritt, and Nicholas Williams — passed away in a devastating car crash in Fayetteville. The young men were not only students, but also athletes on the Golden Bulls football team, and their sudden passing has left a deep void in the school, the district, and the entire community.
🚓 The crash occurred around 7:22 p.m. Wednesday evening in the 2700 block of Rosehill Road. According to Fayetteville Police, a 2024 Honda Civic veered off the road, struck a telephone pole, traveled along a sidewalk, and then collided with a tree. Tragically, the three E.E. Smith students were pronounced deceased at the scene.
🚁 The driver of the car, identified as 21-year-old Dymond N. Monroe, was critically injured and airlifted to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Police have said the crash remains under investigation by the department’s Traffic Unit.
📚 All three victims — Elliott, Merritt, and Williams — were seniors and proud members of the Golden Bulls football team. Reports confirm that Merritt was a multi-sport athlete, while Elliott and Williams also made their mark as teammates and classmates, leaving behind a legacy of friendship, energy, and dedication to their school.
🎈 The tragedy comes just days before E.E. Smith was set to play at South View’s homecoming football game— which has now been postponed. Officials say a new date will be shared later, but for now the focus remains on mourning, remembrance, and supporting the families.
🗣️ In an official statement, the Cumberland County Board of Education expressed profound sorrow over the devastating loss, calling the students an irreplaceable part of the E.E. Smith family. The Board emphasized that “schools are more than classrooms — they are communities,” and when tragedy strikes, the pain ripples far beyond school walls. The Board noted that the impact of losing three young lives at once is immeasurable, and they thanked the community for the outpouring of kindness, prayers, and messages already surrounding E.E. Smith.
👨🏫 Superintendent Dr. Eric C. Bracy issued a heartfelt message, sharing that the three young men left “a lasting impact on everyone they encountered” through their energy, leadership, and friendships. He pledged that Cumberland County Schools would walk alongside their families, classmates, teachers, and staff in the days ahead, providing resources, counseling, and support. Dr. Bracy also expressed gratitude to first responders and the medical professionals who acted with care during the tragic evening. He called on the wider community to “hold space for grief, unity, and healing,” reminding everyone that no one should go through this heartbreak alone.
👥 Cumberland County Schools has deployed grief counselors and the Student Services team to support students and faculty at E.E. Smith. Officials say emotional care is being prioritized, and services will remain available for as long as needed to help students process the loss of their peers and teammates.
⛪ Across the city, community members, alumni, churches, and civic leaders are beginning to organize vigils and tributes. For many, this tragedy has become a reminder of how fragile life is and how vital it is for the community to come together in faith, remembrance, and support.
🏈 Beyond football, the loss of three seniors will leave a permanent mark on athletics and student life at E.E. Smith. Coaches, players, and classmates must now grieve as a family while carrying forward the spirit and legacy of their fallen brothers.
🙏 WatchOut Cumberland County NC extends our deepest condolences to the families of Jai’hyon Elliott, Trevor Merritt, and Nicholas Williams, to the entire E.E. Smith High School community, and to Cumberland County Schools. We urge the community to surround the families, classmates, teachers, and teammates with unwavering love and support during this time of unimaginable loss.
💕 The investigation into the crash continues, and updates are expected as Fayetteville Police complete their findings. For now, the focus remains on remembering Jai’hyon, Trevor, and Nicholas — three young men whose lives were full of promise and potential.
🙏 WatchOut Cumberland County NC
More info:
🕊️ Homegoing Service for Trevor Merritt
🙏 Service: Fri, Oct 17 • 12 PM
@ True Vine Ministry, 5315 Morganton Rd
🕯️ Viewing: Thurs, Oct 16 • 1–6 PM
@ Wiseman Mortuary, 427 Cumberland St
🌹 Send flowers to Wiseman Mortuary
👕 Wear a shirt with your favorite image of Trevor
