Authorities say the children were not restrained when a high-speed police pursuit ended in a fatal crash.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities said she fled police with her three young sons in her car, reached speeds of 111 mph, and crashed into a tree, killing all three children earlier this month.
Investigators say the crash followed a domestic violence incident that led officers to seek the arrest of 31-year-old Megan Symone Scott. Prosecutors have charged Scott with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and several other offenses. The deaths of her sons — Jae’Coda Thomas, 3, Ju’Mari Thomas, 6, and Jack Thomas, 8 — have drawn attention to allegations that none of the children were secured by seat belts or child safety seats when the vehicle left the roadway.
According to an arrest affidavit, the chain of events began June 3 in Fayetteville. Authorities said Scott and her boyfriend were arguing while sitting in her vehicle. The dispute reportedly centered on money that the boyfriend wanted to send to another child. During the argument, investigators allege Scott bit the man on the arm. The boyfriend exited the vehicle, but police said Scott then drove toward him. Authorities allege he ended up on the hood before falling to the ground. He was able to run away and avoid further injury. Officers later obtained an arrest warrant connected to the incident and began searching for Scott. At some point afterward, officers located her during a traffic stop and ordered her to leave the vehicle. Investigators say she instead accelerated away, beginning the sequence that ended in the fatal crash.
Police said Scott’s vehicle struck two officers as she fled the stop. The officers suffered minor injuries. Investigators allege she then drove her Kia Forte at speeds reaching 111 mph while her three sons remained inside the vehicle. According to court records, the pursuit continued along State Road 53. Authorities said Scott crossed the centerline, overcorrected, and lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Investigators reported that Scott and two of the children were ejected from the vehicle during the collision. Two boys were pronounced dead at the scene. The third child was transported by helicopter to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities have not publicly indicated whether any mechanical problem or roadway condition contributed to the crash, and the investigation remains active.
The allegations surrounding the children’s restraint status have become a central part of the case. Investigators contend that none of the boys were wearing seat belts or using child safety restraints despite requirements tied to their ages and sizes. Child passenger safety laws are designed to reduce the risk of ejection and severe injury during crashes, particularly at high speeds. The deaths of all three brothers have deeply affected relatives and members of the Fayetteville community. Family members have publicly mourned the children and described the loss as overwhelming. The boys ranged in age from preschool to elementary school age, and relatives have said they are struggling to cope with the sudden deaths. Community support efforts have emerged to help cover funeral and memorial expenses as family members navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.
Scott remains jailed in Cumberland County without bond as the criminal case moves forward. Court records show she faces three counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deaths of her sons. She also faces charges tied to the earlier domestic violence allegations and the encounter with law enforcement officers during the attempted traffic stop. Prosecutors will continue reviewing evidence gathered from the crash scene, vehicle data, witness statements, and medical examinations. Investigators are expected to complete reconstruction work aimed at determining the precise sequence of events leading to the impact. Court proceedings in the coming weeks will determine whether additional charges are warranted and how the case will advance through the North Carolina judicial system. A hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 7.
The crash left behind a scene marked by both devastation and unanswered questions. Relatives have focused on remembering the three boys while authorities continue their investigation. Community members expressed sorrow over the circumstances of the crash and the ages of the victims. The deaths occurred within moments of a pursuit that investigators say escalated from a domestic dispute into a fatal collision. As court proceedings begin, attention is expected to remain on the decisions made before and during the pursuit, the circumstances surrounding the children’s presence in the vehicle, and the evidence investigators say supports the charges. For now, the case stands as a tragic loss for one family and a criminal matter that prosecutors will continue to pursue in court.
Scott remains in custody, and her next scheduled court appearance is July 7. Investigators have not announced any changes to the charges, and officials continue to review evidence related to the crash that claimed the lives of all three children.