CARY, N.C. (WNCN) – Cary Police have arrested and charged four people in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that killed teen Katie Crow, a Green Hope High School student.
Jourdan Chanquion Mack, 20; Beth Strange, 18; Abijah James Messe, 17; and Joshua Odell Simmons, 17; are all facing First Degree Murder charges.
Investigators said emergency crews responded to Lawrence Road near the entrance of Walnut Street Park and found 16-year-old Katie Crow lying in the street with life-threatening injuries around 9:30 Friday night. She was taken to WakeMed where she later died. Investigators believe Crow was robbed during what they believe was a pre-planned drug transaction.
While trying to fight back, investigators said the teen fell from the truck – a burgundy Ford F150 – driven 17-year-old Joshua Simmons.
“This is a terrible tragedy for all families involved. With around-the-clock joint efforts by our Traffic Safety Team and Criminal Investigations Division, we hope that being able to wrap this up somewhat relatively quickly will help will help start the healing process for them and our community,” said Captain Randall Rhyne of Cary’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Sunday afternoon, a memorial was made at the place where Crow lost her life. Childhood friend, OC Stephanoff said she grew up with Katie said was a “really, really amazing person.”
“She was such a good person and had such a good heart,” she said. “She didn’t deserve anything like this at all.”
Stephanoff didn’t want to comment on how Crow knew with suspects. She said Crow was a friendly person who had lots of friends, but she wasn’t familiar with that group.
On Sunday evening, Katie’s parents released a statement.
“We are devastated by the loss of our daughter Katie, but we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from so many of our friends.
Katie was a very loving, caring person and it is a shame her life has ended so soon. We ask for your prayers and good wishes, but also your respect for our privacy at this time.
We’d like to thank the Cary Police Department for working so diligently on this case and quickly apprehending four suspects. “
All four suspects are being held without bond and are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Monday morning.
Anyone with additional information that may help with this case is asked to contact Cary Police.