Anastasia Estrella Cooper Killed in Greensboro Moped Acci...
The 21-year-old High Point resident died days after the collision near Eula Street
Anastasia Estrella Cooper, 21, of High Point, was killed in a moped crash on Spring Garden Street near Eula Street on June 14, according to the Greensboro Police Department.
Makayla Kaitlynn Ouboun Theng, 24, of Graham, was arrested and initially charged with driving while impaired and failing to yield. Following the victim's death on June 19, authorities upgraded the charges to include felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle and unsafe tires.
The westbound Lexus SUV made a U-turn directly in front of the moped, which was driving in the same direction.
The collision critically injured both riders.
Paramedics took them to a local hospital, where Cooper later died. The driver was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond.
Why did the SUV make a U-turn on Spring Garden Street?
The sudden loss of a loved one in a preventable collision leaves families devastated, especially when impaired driving is suspected. While criminal courts address the driver's actions, independent investigations help families understand the full scope of the collision.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Even at modest speeds, a moped collision with a passenger vehicle can produce devastating consequences simply because nothing absorbs the force except the rider."
"Legal counsel often steps in immediately after these crashes to preserve physical evidence before it disappears, review mechanical records, and build a complete picture of road and lighting conditions that may have contributed to the outcome," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 42 mopeds were involved in fatal crashes across the United States in 2023, underscoring the vulnerability of riders on smaller two‑wheeled vehicles despite their relatively low share of overall traffic deaths.
How do criminal DWI charges impact civil liability in North Carolina?
In cases involving severe impairment and fatal outcomes, the corner of criminal charges and civil rights becomes highly complex.
When a driver faces felony charges for a fatal collision, the criminal proceedings often uncover critical evidence, including toxicology reports and accident reconstruction data, that can substantiate parallel civil claims.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Funeral costs, lost income, and ongoing financial hardship are all components that may be addressed through a wrongful death claim. A legal team helps affected families identify what compensation categories apply and how to document those losses for legal purposes," explained Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.