Fayetteville begins study of Rosehill Road where 3 students died in crash: 'A dangerous curve'

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The community continues grieving nearly a week after a deadly car crash claimed the lives of three Fayetteville high school student-athletes, and many are questioning whether speed was a factor in the wreck.

On Monday, ABC11 pressed the Fayetteville Police Department for answers.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to answer your questions at this time, as certain details are not yet available due to the severity of the crash," Sgt. Alpha Caldwell responded. "This remains an active investigation, and we will not release information based on speculation or premature assumptions. We are committed to providing accurate updates as soon as verified information becomes available."

Mayor Mitch Colvin said last week that the city would examine Rosehill Road to see what could be done to make it safer. People living in this community are calling on the city to act quickly before another life is lost.

Sharon Huggar, 62, grew up in the North Hills community right off Rosehill Road. The retired Pine Forest High School teacher told ABC11 that another tragic loss happened here years ago.

"Something has to be done," said Huggar. "We lost a couple students on this road as well. They were coming from a party at night. I think speed was a factor. They lost their lives."

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The speed limit along Rosehill Road is 45 mph, but before arriving at the site of the crash, where there is a growing memorial for the three students, there is a sign that alerts drivers that the curve ahead is 35 mph.

"That's a dangerous curve," said an 88-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified. She said she has lived along the road for almost 50 years. "There is a lot of speeding along Rosehill Road. The speeding is not during the day. The speeding is at night."

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ABC11 was at the scene as city traffic crews launched the Rosehill Road safety study that the mayor referenced.

A city spokesman said its purpose was to:

• Perform an in-depth 5-year crash review and review for the cause of crashes.
• Review different studies and plans (CTP, Pedestrian Plan, Bike Plan, etc.) for planned improvements and recommendations for this road.
• Review existing conditions for signs and pavement markings status among other items, after the above two bullet points have been completed.

According to the City of Fayetteville, from July 2020 to July 2025, there were 168 crashes. The last fatality was in 2021 at Rosehill and Hickory Hills Road.

Ninety-one of those were at Ramsey Street or Country Club Drive intersections:

• 54% of all crashes occurred at signalized intersections;

• 44 were at Rosehill and Ramsey

• Only 77 (46%) were along the road, away from the traffic signals.

• 47 happened at Rosehill and Country Club

• A majority of the remaining crashes occurred at unsignalized intersections with side streets.

Colvin said this analysis is an effort to prevent more tragedies as the city works to make this road safe.

"We're going to take a holistic look to see what the trends are and what are the areas that can be easily addressed, whether it's speed reduction, rails or any other safety measure like increased enforcement. All are on the table," said Colvin.

The crash took the lives of 17-year-old Trevor Merritt, 17-year-old Nicholas Williams, and 18-year-old Jai-hyon Elliot, all football players at E.E. Smith.

According to Cumberland County Schools, E.E. Smith's football game at South View High School, which was postponed after the crash, will be played Tuesday. There will be a pre-game ceremony from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. honoring the lives of those three players.

The sole survivor of the crash was 21-year-old Dymond Monroe, who was driving. She remains in critical condition at UNC Hospitals.