UPDATE: Additional charges brought by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement were announced by the Department of Public Safety on Friday. Click here to read the details.

After an investigation into the January 21 crash that killed a UNC student, the Chapel Hill Police Department announced underage drinking charges against three people — two of whom are also UNC students.

Police said Wednesday Orange County investigators indicted 20-year-old Flemeeja Brewer on charges including felony death by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired. She was identified as the driver in the single-car crash that killed Mary Rotunda, who was from Greensboro like Brewer. During its initial news release regarding the crash, Chapel Hill Police said Brewer was traveling east on North Carolina Highway 54 when she lost control and drove into the wooded area off of the road after the intersection with East Barbee Chapel Road around 2:20 a.m.

Brewer is also charged with driving after consuming alcohol while underage; purchasing alcohol while underage; fraudulently using an ID to commit an underage offense; having an open container of alcohol; careless and reckless driving; and speeding. She was given a $75,000 bond stemming from the charges, which Chapel Hill Police said Brewer posted, and is set to first appear in court on the charges Monday, February 19.

Additionally, 21-year-old Brianna Pinson — who was also in the crashed car and is not listed as a UNC student in the university directory – faces two counts of aiding and abetting the consumption of alcohol by an underage person. Pinson, who is also a Greensboro resident, was issued criminal summons to appear in court on Thursday, March 7.

Among the announced charges, the Chapel Hill Police Department said its investigation into the crash led to charges against a driver of a separate vehicle. 20-year-old Zachary Rice faces the misdemeanor charges of:

  • Driver After Consuming Under 21 Years Old
  • Consume/Possess Alcohol Under 21 Years Old
  • Exceeding a Posted Speed Limit

Rice, who is from Lynchburg, Virginia, is a redshirt freshman on the UNC football team and plays offensive line. Investigators issued a criminal summons for him and Rice is scheduled to appear in court on March 7. Chapelboro has reached out to the UNC football program for comment and, as of Thursday morning, has received no response.

A spokesperson for the Chapel Hill Police Department said no other information regarding the investigation or Rice’s involvement in the crash is publicly available as of Wednesday. The full release from the town government can be read here.

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