Documents: Driver involved in crash that killed UNC student was legally drunk, had THC in system

Court documents reveal Nyasia Palmer, a recent graduate of North Carolina Central University, was impaired by both alcohol and drugs at the time of a fatal crash that saw a UNC student lose his life.

Posted 6:54 p.m. Mar 14 — Updated 9:19 p.m. Mar 14

Sarah Krueger

, WRAL Investigates reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — New information has surfaced about a crash that killed a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student back in October.

Court documents reveal the driver, a recent graduate of North Carolina Central University, was impaired by both alcohol and drugs.

The new filings detail devastating injuries to one of the other passengers. The documents also reveal the driver was over the legal limit for alcohol and had THC in her system.

Earlier reports had the accused driver, Nyasia Palmer, driving at 113 mph down Page Road in Durham before the crash, according to police.

Newly-released court documents show four people, all friends of Palmer, were inside the car.

Additionally, the driver's best friend and roommate suffered "several broken bones." Palmer's boyfriend was also in the car and sustained a spinal injury so severe it "left him paralyzed below the waist."

The third passenger, UNC student Elijah Hawkins-Maynor, died at the scene.

Elijah Hawkins-Maynor, 22, lost his life when Nyasia Palmer was driving at a speed of 113 mph in a 45 mph zone when she lost control and crashed.

Court documents revealed Hawkins-Maynor had called a friend from the car, telling that friend the driver was going more than 100 mph and refused to stop.

Palmer was a recent graduate of NCCU, where she excelled in academics and was a scholarship player on the women's basketball team.

Car data showed there were no signs of braking right before impact.

The warrant says her blood alcohol level was .09, just above the legal limit of .08 in North Carolina. THC, a component of marijuana, was also in her system.

After the crash, documents say Palmer tried to kill herself, because of the guilt she felt. She's charged with second-degree murder.

Palmer is living in Asheville, volunteering and has plans to speak to young people about making good choices and avoiding the dangers of impaired driving.

"She's a very talented young woman who had intended to go to law school," said attorney Steve Lindsay. "We're hoping we can find a path for her to still achieve that goal."

Lindsay said Palmer was not driving for the entire trip and anticipates that will be a focal point of the case.

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