Speed reached 100 mph before Falls of Neuse crash

RALEIGH

It happened on Falls of Neuse Road around 5:30 p.m.

According to the wreck report, the driver of a vehicle traveling south on Falls of Neuse, 23-year-old Stephon McCall Palmer of Raleigh, crossed the center line and stuck two vehicles. Police say Palmer lost control of his vehicle and reached 100 mph before impact.

Palmer's passenger, 21-year-old Orlando Luis McKinnon of Raleigh, was killed. At least one other person was transported to the hospital with injuries.

Police say alcohol or drug impairment is suspected.

The death of their son is devastating for McKinnon's family.

"Orlando McKinnon was my first, my one, and my only seed. He had a smile, as you can see, that lit up the world. He loved rapping. It was his passion," his mother told ABC11. "This is the saddest, most difficult pain I have ever known in my life. It is every parent's nightmare to get that knock on the door and I had just called him."

McKinnon's family says they knew he was with Palmer - but they don't really know him. They say McKinnon's whole future was ahead of him.

"He was in college. He was debating about going to the military. He was just 21-years-old. He was 21-years-old and he finally had it all figured," said his mother.

Charges are pending against Palmer, who was in critical condition at WakeMed.

Orlando McKinnon leaves behind his mother, a girlfriend of ten years, and their 2-year-old daughter.

"I know in my heart that my son left this earth and walked straight into the arms of Jesus. That is what I believe. But it still hurts because he was the greatest love of my life," said his mom.

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