17-year-old charged with death by vehicle, other counts

MILL SPRING — The driver of the vehicle in a crash that killed rising Polk County High School senior Markell Lipscomb has been charged in his death.

The wreck occurred on Friday, July 6, on Pea Ridge Road in Mill Spring.

The 17-year old driver was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving to endanger and operating without a license, according to records at the Polk County Courthouse.

Lipscomb, 17, of Tryon, was a passenger in the back seat of a 2008 Lincoln when the crash occurred around 12:15 p.m. He was traveling with two friends.

Both friends were taken to hospitals, one by ambulance and one by helicopter, and have since been released and are recovering from their injuries.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol, who investigated the crash and charged the driver, reported that the vehicle was traveling 70 mph in a 45-mph zone.

The vehicle is reported to have traveled off the road to the right and collided with a small pole. The vehicle then went airborne, continued off the road to the right and collided with a culvert/ditch, overturned and then hit a tree.

All three occupants were trapped in the vehicle.

Lipscomb played football, basketball and ran track for Polk County High School.

His funeral services were held last week, with students, family and friends also attending a memorial last Wednesday at the high school to remember him and speak with counselors if necessary.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help the Lipscomb family with funeral expenses, the goal of which was recently met.

The driver’s court date for the charges has been set for Oct. 24.