A North Carolina woman has been arrested in connection with an ATV crash that killed two teenage boys. Authorities say Ashley Marie Darity, 34, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the deaths of Layne Jones and Jayden Reynald.
The crash happened on August 25, when the two boys were riding a 2015 Polaris Sportsman ATV. They lost control on a curve, ran off the road, and hit a tree. Initially, police believed speed was the main cause, but later investigations revealed alcohol was involved.
Both Layne and Jayden were students and football players at Rosman High School in Transylvania County. Darity, who previously worked as a substitute teacher in the boys’ school district from October 2021 to December 2023, is accused of supplying them with alcohol before the crash, according to The Transylvania Times.
Darity was arrested on February 13, and her bail was set at $20,000. Her lawyer, Sean Devereux, said he is willing to share the full story but did not provide further comments.
Others Arrested for Hosting Underage Drinking Party
In addition to Darity, two other people—Brandon Kaine Rathbone, 47, and Patricia Faye Whitehead, 33—were also arrested. They are accused of allowing underage drinking at a party.
Rathbone and Whitehead, both residents of Balsam Grove, were charged with aiding and abetting the possession or consumption of alcohol by minors. Their bail was set at $500 each.
Authorities have not directly linked their actions to the crash, but court records show their alleged offenses happened long before the accident—Rathbone on June 10, 2023, and Whitehead on February 14, 2023.
An arrest warrant for Rathbone states that he and Whitehead hosted a party where they gave alcohol to a 15-year-old. They also helped the teen do a keg stand—a drinking game where someone is held upside down while drinking beer from a keg.
USA TODAY is working to find legal representation for Rathbone and Whitehead.
Community Mourns the Loss
Following the tragic accident, Transylvania County Superintendent Lisa Fletcher released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the two young lives.
“This accident is a devastating tragedy that has deeply affected our community,” Fletcher said. “Losing such young and vibrant individuals reminds us how precious life is and how connected we all are.”
The community continues to grieve as the investigation unfolds.
