Young couple killed when driver of stolen car turns into oncoming traffic, NC cops say
A young couple was killed when a driver in a stolen car made a U-turn into oncoming traffic in North Carolina, officials and family members say.
Jayce Haverkos, 19, and Madison Grotschel, 18, were driving on US-74 when a car turned into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into the car they were in, North Carolina Highway Patrol said, according to WGHP. Haverkos, Grotschel and the driver of the other car all died on the scene.
Forsyth County deputies were initially alerted to a report of a stolen 2004 silver Mercury Grand Marquis around noon on Monday, May 8, the department said in a Facebook post. A deputy saw the stolen car and initiated a traffic stop.
After the deputy turned their lights on, the suspect continued driving, taking an exit onto the highway, according to the department. The suspect then made a U-turn, driving straight into oncoming traffic and colliding with Haverkos and Grotschel.
The suspect’s identity has not been released.
Witnesses said both cars went up in flames after crashing, according to WGHP.
“You know when you twist the bag that has air in it, then it pops? It sounded like that, but 1,000 times louder,” Stephen Cowan told the news outlet. “The sound of the metal crushing together was something that you could have heard miles away.”
The North Carolina Highway Patrol and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
Grotschel’s mother said she has struggled to wake up since losing her daughter, according to WXII.
“She was my best friend. She had already picked out the pie she was going to make me for Mother’s Day and the meal. We did everything together,” she told WXII.
Other family members and loved ones shared tributes for the young couple in the days since the wreck.
“I have so many mixed feelings right now. I am angry, I am hurt, I am mentally and physically tired,” Haverkos’ aunt shared in a Facebook post. “Here on earth will never be the same for your mom or me. I bet you rode that skateboard through that gate to Heaven.”
“Words can’t even begin to describe the pain that we’re feeling right now,” Grotschel’s aunt wrote on Facebook. “The strongest, funniest and kindest girl you’d ever meet. She was my mini-me, my twin for real. She had so much life ahead of her, and was set to graduate this month.”
Forsyth County is about 80 miles northeast of Charlotte.
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