MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two women are facing charges after a speeding car crashed into a pole in Raleigh early Monday morning, leaving one person dead.
Kayla Watson and Walteryca Crawford, both 19 years old, were charged with evading arrest, unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon, and possession of a controlled substance marijuana.
The incident happened on Feb. 19, 2024. According to the police report, Memphis Police officers saw a vehicle violating traffic laws just before 2 a.m. in the area of Coleman Cove and Yale Road. The vehicle, traveling at a high speed rate, lost control in the 3900 block of Frayser-Raleigh Road and crashed into a telephone pole.
A man was taken to Regional One Health in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. Officers captured two women, Watson and Crawford, after a short chase following the crash, according to an affidavit. A fourth person had run away, escaping police.
Due to the accident, police closed all lanes in the area of Frayser-Raleigh Road and Hawkins Mill Road in both directions, encouraging drivers to avoid the area and use a different route. The Tennessee Highway Patrol also became involved in the investigation.
During the investigation, officers found two firearms and a small clear bag with a leafy green substance that looked like marijuana, which was later confirmed.
According to the affidavit, Watson told investigators she knew the weapons were inside the vehicle, but did not say who had them. Both women refused to take ownership of the marijuana and said they did not know the other two people in the vehicle.