News Summary

In North Carolina’s Transylvania County, the tragic loss of high school football players Layne Jones and Jayden Reynaldo in an ATV crash has led to three arrests. Allegations include providing alcohol to minors. The community mourns the loss of two promising young lives, while legal proceedings unfold for those involved in this heartbreaking incident.

Three Arrested in Connection with Tragic ATV Crash in North Carolina

In the small yet close-knit community of Transylvania County, North Carolina, the heartbreaking tale of two young lives cut short continues to unfold. On August 25, 2024, the lives of high school football players Layne Jones and Jayden Reynaldo were tragically lost in a devastating ATV crash. The boys, both just teenagers, were riding a 2015 Polaris Sportsman when things took a tragic turn.

The Crash

As they navigated a curve, they unfortunately lost control, which led them off the road and directly into a tree. The outcome was catastrophic, as both young men were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving family, friends, and the entire school community in mourning.

Initially, reports indicated that no alcohol was involved in the crash, pointing towards excessive speed as the primary cause. However, as the investigation developed, officials from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety suggested that alcohol might have played a role in this devastating accident.

Arrests Made

As the investigation took a deeper turn, three individuals have now been arrested in connection with this tragic incident. The primary suspect, Ashley Marie Darity, a 34-year-old from Rosman, faces serious charges, including two counts of felony involuntary manslaughter. Authorities allege that she provided the teens with alcohol prior to the crash.

Darities’ bail has been set at $20,000, and a court date is set for February 24, 2025, giving the local community time to process this shocking news while awaiting further details from the legal proceedings. As of now, no comments from Darity’s attorney have been released.

Meanwhile, two additional individuals have also been taken into custody. Brandon Kaine Rathbone, 47, and Patricia Faye Whitehead, 33, both hailing from Balsam Grove, face charges related to aiding and abetting underage alcohol consumption. Their bail has been set at a much lower amount of $500 each.

Partying Before the Tragedy

The legal troubles for Rathbone and Whitehead stem from allegations that they hosted an underage party where they reportedly provided alcohol to minors, specifically targeting a 15-year-old, and even facilitating a keg stand. These offenses occurred in February and June of 2023, prior to the tragic crash that took place just last month.

Community Mourning

The tragic deaths of Layne and Jayden have sent shockwaves through the Rosman High School community, where both young men were beloved students and athletes. In their honor, the school organized an “orange out” event, inviting everyone to wear orange as a symbol of support and remembrance. The unity displayed by the community outlines the deep bond they shared and how much these young lives meant to everyone around them.

As investigations continue, the families of Layne and Jayden are left grappling with the senseless loss of their children while also seeking justice. The ongoing legal proceedings against those charged will hopefully bring some resolution, but the scars from this tragic event have left an indelible mark on the community.

Residents are closely watching the developments of this case, eager for answers and hoping to see changes that could prevent such tragedies in the future. As the community comes together, mourning their loss, they strive to remember Layne and Jayden not only for their love of football but for the joy and positivity they brought into the lives of those around them.

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