The Cary driver charged in the December 2023 crash that killed a 6-year-old girl on Walnut Street has pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
On December 29, 2023, Joselin Perez Hernandez was hit by an automobile in front of her residence on Walnut Street, across from R.S. Dunham Park in Cary. After receiving brain and spine injuries at WakeMed, Joselin passed away shortly after.
The driver, Andrew Everett of Cary, was first charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, felony involuntary manslaughter, failing to reduce speed, exceeding the posted speed limit, and careless driving.
According to court documents, Everett pleaded guilty to two of the crimes in April in exchange for a lower sentence. The Cary man was sentenced to up to 32 months of supervised probation and had to obtain mental health and substance abuse evaluations within 60 days of his probation order.
A search warrant released by WRAL News refers to Everett’s “lack of remorse” at the time of the tragedy. According to the search warrant, Everett complained to authorities that the inquiry was taking too long and used nasty language about the girl.
According to the report, which includes notes from witnesses and investigators, Everett told responding authorities the incident was not his fault and that no one was watching Joselin.
Everett also said that Joselin jumped in front of him, according to the article. Officers did, however, notice the driver’s slow reaction time and the lack of skid tracks on the road, indicating that he did not attempt to brake abruptly.
According to a witness, Everett was going 10 to 15 mph over the posted speed limit. The report also mentions drug paraphernalia found in Everett’s automobile.