Tremaine White Killed in Smithfield Pedestrian Accident
Jasmine Taylor charged with DWI after returning to the scene on South Brightleaf Boulevard
Tremaine White, 27, of Roseboro, was fatally struck by a vehicle on South Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield, North Carolina, early Saturday, according to police.
Jasmine Ariel Taylor, 32, of Four Oaks, was arrested and charged with driving while impaired after returning to the scene. Police said a breath test revealed an alcohol concentration of .13, well above the legal limit. Taylor initially fled the area. Officers were dispatched around 12:50 a.m. for a welfare check in the 2320 block of the road. They found the victim, later identified as White, dead at the scene.
Taylor was driven back to the location by a family member and told investigators she had struck something earlier that night.
She was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond.
The fatal collision remains under investigation, and authorities have consulted with the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office regarding additional charges.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians died in traffic accidents nationwide in 2024.
Families who lose a loved one to an impaired driver are often left navigating a complex legal system while grieving. While Smithfield Police and the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office determine what additional criminal charges will be filed, independent investigations are important for the victim's family.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Drug impairment can reduce judgment and coordination at a time when a pedestrian may have very little time to respond to a vehicle. The danger becomes even greater when visibility is limited or traffic is moving quickly."
"Understanding whether impairment played a role can require careful review of testing records and other evidence, and an attorney can help preserve that information while addressing insurance concerns affecting surviving relatives," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What happens next in the Smithfield DWI investigation?
Detectives will likely review toxicology reports, vehicle damage, and the timeline of the driver leaving and returning to South Brightleaf Boulevard.
How do criminal charges impact civil liability?
A criminal conviction for driving while impaired can serve as powerful evidence in a parallel civil claim. When a driver faces charges for fleeing the scene and intoxication, families of the victim often have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim independent of the criminal proceedings.
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.
"When an impaired driver causes a fatal collision, reviewing onboard event data recorders provides clear proof of vehicle speed and erratic steering choices right before impact, said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel supports grieving families by securing crucial digital data files before deletion and protecting family financial interests through meticulous claim preparation."