Authorities say Megan Scott fled police before crashing into a tree at high speed with her three children inside.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina mother faces three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter after authorities said she fled police and crashed into a tree at high speed on June 3, killing her three young sons.
Megan Symone Scott, 31, was charged after investigators determined her Kia Forte reached 111 mph before the crash on Cedar Creek Road near Fields Road in Fayetteville, according to court records and reports citing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Two of the children were ejected and died at the scene. A third was flown to a hospital in Chapel Hill, where he later died. Investigators said the children were not properly secured in the vehicle.
Family members identified the boys as Jae’Coda Thomas, 3, Ju’Mari Thomas, 6, and Jack Thomas, 8. Authorities have said two of the boys were thrown from the car during the crash. Available reports do not establish that all three children were ejected, despite some later accounts describing the case that way.
The events began on the evening of June 3 after Fayetteville police responded to a domestic disturbance, according to court documents cited by local news organizations. Authorities allege Scott bit her boyfriend during an argument and later struck him with her vehicle. Police subsequently tried to take Scott into custody in connection with that incident.
Investigators said officers ordered Scott to get out of her vehicle during the encounter, but she instead accelerated away. Police said her car struck two officers as she fled. Authorities later alleged that Scott continued along the roadway at high speed with her three sons inside.
An affidavit cited by news organizations said Scott crossed the centerline, overcorrected and went off the road before striking a tree. Data recovered from the vehicle indicated it had reached 111 mph at some point before the crash, investigators said. Scott also was ejected from the vehicle, according to reports based on court records.
Authorities said none of the children were in child safety seats or wearing seat belts. Scott was charged with three counts of failure to secure a passenger under 16, along with reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane control and driving with a revoked license. She also faced charges connected to the earlier encounter, including assault-related offenses and hit-and-run. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and the charges do not establish guilt.
Scott appeared in Cumberland County court in June and was denied bond, according to court records reported at the time. A public defender was appointed to represent her. Local reports also said she was being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center and had another court appearance scheduled for July 7.
The crash occurred June 3, more than five months before a Nov. 11 report described the deaths as having happened “earlier this month.” News reports published in June consistently date the crash to June 3. The most recent reliable sources reviewed for this article did not provide a verified update on the outcome of the July hearing or Scott’s current custody and case status.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.