Raleigh woman who died after fire had been charged in crash
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Wake County District Attorney's office said Monday the case against a teenaged girl accused in a May 2014 fatal crash on Interstate 40 in Raleigh will be "abated." That means the case is over because the suspect, Anastasiya Bergeron, is dead.
Bergeron is the 18-year-old who set fire to a Raleigh apartment complex Friday night in what police say was an attempt to kill herself. She suffered severe burns and died over the weekend from her injuries.
Bergeron had been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and DWI in the May 29 crash in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near the Wade Avenue exit.
Investigators said Bergeron lost control of a Toyota sedan and crashed into a wooded area. Authorities said 20-year-old Chase Rodgers, of Cary, who owned the car and was riding in the front passenger's seat, died at the scene. Bergeron and 18-year-old Christian Miller, of Cary, who was a rear-seat passenger, were taken to WakeMed with serious injuries.
Friday's two-alarm fire started around 7:30 p.m. at the complex on Generation Drive, which is just off of North Hills Drive.
"To hear that something like that would happen to somebody that young is tragic. And I know, I know obviously she was in the wrong when the accident took place but at the same time that's not any reason for anyone to end up taking their life," said apartment resident Cory Smith.
"Looks like she was getting through a lot," said apartment resident Liz Avid. "I mean, what she did in May and then this thing happens. After all the holidays I'm pretty sure her family is very sad. Sorry for their loss."
Apartment residents aren't the only ones who are saying their hearts go out to Bergeron's family. The father of the victim in the I-40 crash told ABC11 that his prayers are going out to the Bergerons as well.
Fourteen units were damaged in the fire, and 24 tenants were displaced by the blaze.
The Red Cross is assisting the displaced families.
