Ex-Deputy Finally Receives Sentence in Fatal Car Crash in North Carolina

A horrific accident involving an ex-deputy in McDowell County, North Carolina, that resulted in the death of a two year old has finally seen some judicial resolution.

On February 6, Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Watson, 21, was called to the scene of a domestic dispute. He headed there...in a hurry. Driving close to 120 mph, without the benefit of siren or flashing lights, Watson headed towards the reported incident. He never made it there.

Also traveling on Interstate 40, near Old Fort, were Kimberly Frye of Bakersville, her mother Ruth Ann Huskins, and her two daughters, 7 year old Katherine, and two year old Kennedy. Though one investigation conducted by the Asheville Police Department claims that the Frye car's tail lights weren't working, the investigation conducted by the Highway Patrol reconstruction team says that even without tail lights, a driver paying attention to the road would have seen the Frye's car from a distance of 1100 feet, giving that driver close to 25 second to stop. Apparently, Deputy Watson wasn't paying attention when he slammed into the Frye's car, killing little Kennedy and seriously injuring all the other passengers.

Brandon Watson resigned from his job immediately after the accident when he was suspended without pay. He then found himself a job as a grounds keeper at a golf course, while he awaited legal proceedings. Kimberly Frye, meanwhile, has had to endure several operations, is disabled, and appeared in the court room with a neck brace. Her 7 year old daughter and mother have also had to deal with the accident's s aftermath and the injuries they sustained.

The individuals involved in the crash and their families found themselves in the same room yesterday for the first time. Watson had entered a no contest to misdemeanor death by reckless driving plea which basically isn't an admission of guilt or innocence. He is supposed to be punished by the court as if he were guilty, but this type of plea doesn't require his own admission of guilt. It also means a trial can be avoided and the matter can be resolved.

David Frye, Kennedy's father, according to the Citizen-Times newspaper, told Watson that he, "received special treatment because of ...who you know." Frye went on to say, "When you stand in judgment before God, that won't help you a bit." Frye also stated that he believed Watson should have been charged with involuntary manslaughter which carries a 13-16 month sentence in North Carolina. Instead of that sentence, Judge James Baker sentenced Watson to a suspended 45 day sentence, plus 48 months on probation, $8,335 in restitution money to cover funeral expenses, the surrendering of his license for one year, and the additional requirement that he serve 100 hours of community service. Of that time, 25 hours must be spent teaching about the dangers of speeding and reckless driving. The Judge said he took into consideration the fact that Watson had no previous criminal record.

Watson was given the chance to address the courtroom and the Frye family. According to WLOS, the Asheville-based TV station covering the trial, Watson did admit that what he had done was wrong and apologized to the family. "I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart," Watson told the courtroom. "There's nothing I could say that would bring this little girl back."His defense attorney, Frank Goldsmith, also mentioned how devastating this has been for the ex-deputy as well. "He has lost his career in law enforcement."

That was little consolation to David Frye and his family. "This is just the start of closure for us, not closure." The Citizen-Times also quoted Frye as telling Watson, "I hope and pray every time you close your eyes as night, you see my daughter's face. You took her life by being stupid." Frye's wife, Kimberly, then went on to add that the surviving daughter, Katherine, misses her sister so much she cries herself to sleep every night. Watson "took not only my child, but he took my life as I knew it", Kimberly Frye tearfully said. "I don't know when I can ever forgive you," she added, facing the Watson.

The Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office concurred that nothing can replace such a tremendous loss, but both offices believe that justice has been served.