Family, friends remembering six killed last year in crash

SPENCER, N.C. — Family and friends of six people, including three children, who were killed in a fiery crash in Spencer gathered at the crash site Saturday to remember their lives one year after the tragedy.

Dozens of people returned to South Rowan Avenue near 11th Street in Spencer to lay flowers at a long-lasting memorial and say prayers for the three young survivors and those who were killed.

First responders who worked the crash also returned with flowers to show their support for the family of the victims.

IMAGES: Family, friends remember 6 killed in 2013 wreck

"It's been hard. I just can't accept my baby's gone. I just can't accept it," said Martha Dunlap, mother of the driver, 28-year-old Angela Dunlap.

According to police, nine people, including five children and four adults, were packed into a GMC Envoy SUV on Jan. 18, 2013, when Dunlap lost control and slammed into a tree on South Rowan Avenue.

Investigators reconstructed the accident. They found the SUV was traveling 67 mph down the road with a posted speed limit of 30 mph.

Toxicology results also showed Dunlap had a blood alcohol level of .13, nearly double the legal limit.

Two children were ejected from the SUV after the crash, including 11-year-old Charles Patrick, who cracked a window to help pull one of the children to safety.

Dunlap and her daughter, 10-year-old Da'Ja Cathcart, 4-year-old Karizma Sexton, 46-year-old Vincent Mcneal and 25-year-old Sean Jacobs died at the scene.

Dunlap's daughter, 8-year-old Taliah Williams, died at the hospital.

Dunlap's twin boys, Javion and Davion Williams, who are now 7, spent days in the hospital recovering. The boys' father told Channel 9 Saturday one of them suffered brain damage, affecting his memory, which is getting stronger.

"I'm a single father now and I have the responsibilities of being a full-time parent and it's really tough on me," said Williams.

Officers who returned to the crash site Saturday said the experience was haunting because the memories of the scene are so vivid. They said the crash is an example of why it's important to obey speed laws and vehicle capacity restrictions.

"Seat belts should be worn constantly. Car seats should be probably fastened. There is a large lesson and I hope everyone has learned from it," said Officer Jamie Thomas.

WSOC