Death of Drew Newell

A crash on Hwy. 105 in Boone, North Carolina on Friday night has many citizens outraged. The outrage stems from the fact that the wreck was caused by an illegal immigrant, coupled with the fact that his recklessness injured 4 people and killed 1 outgoing, fun-loving, young man named Drew Newell.

By all accounts Drew was a well liked, popular, outstanding sportsman, son, brother, and friend. Many have said over and over that he will never be forgotten and the community is coming together to see that the most fitting punishment is handed down to the man responsible for the death of Drew.

The man I am speaking of is Juan Manuel Juarez Reyes who has been confirmed to be in this country illegally yet again. Who was an employee at a local construction company for an unknown amount of time. Reyes has also been in custody of the Watauga County Sheriffs office since the accident on Friday night. Furthermore, he has just had his bail raised to a million dollars after having second degree murder added to his list of charges.

The charges that Juan Reyes is facing now include the following:

Driving While Impaired

No Operators License

3 Felony Counts of Causing Serious Injure by Vehicle

Now along with the above mentioned 3 charges and the second degree murder charge officials have also added 2 counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

The whole ordeal really began before Reyes was even close to where the Newell family was attempting to turn onto the road that led to their home. According to the Watauga Democrat, local authorities had received a call of a "suspected impaired driver" and there were Sheriff Deputies on the look out for the vehicle when the deadly wreck happened at around 11pm on Friday.

Also according to the Watauga Democrat the incident happened when the Newell family were attempting to turn left off of Hwy. 105 onto Poplar Hill Road to head toward their home. While attempting their turn a drunk, speeding Reyes slammed into the back of the Newell family vehicle pushing the Lexus 250 feet until it hit a Watauga County Sheriff Deputies car. The Sheriff Deputy was on the lookout for none other then Juan Reyes at the time. Reyes vehicle continued into the Southbound lanes of Hwy. 105 and came to rest in a creek, leaving him uninjured.

The Newell family all required medical attention with Mrs. Sallie Newell and 18 year old Jackie Newell being taken to Watauga Medical Center where they were later released. Mr. Brian Newell and Drew where taken to Johnson County Medical Center in Johnson City, TN. Drew later died in JCMC of his injuries, while Mr. Newell is now listed in serious condition. The passenger in Reyes car was also transported to Watauga Medical Center and later released.

On GoBlueRidge.Net there are several articles pertaining to this terrible wreck and the awful tragedy that came from it. The public is expressing their condolences, their love for Drew and his family, as well as expressing their anger toward a man that had attempted to come into this country illegally before. The main points that the public are pushing for are more charges, with a higher bail for the killer of Drew Newell.

The funeral home of Austin and Barnes in Boone, North Carolina are assisting the family with arrangements that are currently incomplete. However, there is a very heart felt obituary for Drew Newell, I warn you it is very touching and will bring you to tears if you have, half a heart. Another site that has been set up for updates on the Newell Family and with the ongoing case, is the Newell Report. The Newell Report is being handled by friends of Drew Newell and his family.

Currently the entire Boone and Watauga County area along with many other surrounding areas are asking that you keep the Newell family in your thoughts and or prayers during this terrible time. The community as a whole is asking that you start contacting your own local area governments to continue the fight against illegal immigrants. Everyone knows that the wreck was not caused because Reyes was an illegal, however the feeling in the community is that if Reyes was not in this country, that Drew Newell would still be with his family. Once again the local area is asking that you do whatever you can to let all government officials everywhere know that we as the American people and as people who have taken the time to be in this country legally are finished having illegal immigrants in this country, and something has to be done sooner and not later about this on-going, growing problem.