CURRITUCK Co., N.C. - A Kitty Hawk man was arrested on second-degree murder and felony death by vehicle charges after an 11-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle while walking home from school August 30 and later died.
According to police, the call for the crash came in at 3:57 p.m., and officers responded to US 158 in front of the Currituck Middle and High School campuses.
Police learned that 11-year-old Julie Randel and her brother successfully crossed the road, but Julie re-entered the road, possibly to pick up something she dropped.
As she did, 32-year-old Kitty Hawk man Daniel Deweese, who was traveling eastbound on 158, attempted to brake but failed to stop in time due to his speed, striking Julie. Police said the road's speed limit in that area is 45 mph during non-school hours and 35 mph during school hours; Deweese was going 56 mph at the time of the collision.
Julie was taken by Nightingale to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, where she later died from her injuries.
According to police, Deweese is believed to have been impaired at the time of the crash, and he was arrested on charges of driving while impaired, open container possession, a small amount of marijuana in his vehicle and speeding in a school zone.
Once the department was informed of Julie's death, Deweese was charged with felony death by vehicle and second-degree murder.
Deweese was initially taken to Currituck County Jail and given a secured bond. A spokesperson with the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed to News 3 that he was still in custody at the time he was served with the additional charges.
Deweese is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on September 29.
Currituck County Schools said in a Facebook post that guidance counselors and support staff will be available to students and faculty at Central Elementary, Currituck Middle School and Currituck High School.
According to Twiford Funeral Home, the funeral home serving the Randel family, a visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14 at Twiford Memorial Chapel in Elizabeth City.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 19 at Currituck Middle School from 1-3 p.m.
Julie's family provided News 3 with the following statement:
On August 30 at 327pm Julie and her brother were walking across the street after school. Sadly she dropped something in the road and went to retrieve it. Unfortunately a car who was traveling to fast in the school zone hit her. The great people at CHKD in Norfolk did their best to save her life. Sadly. They could not. What they did do was give us time to create an opportunity to arrange to have Julie bestow gifts upon others through selfless donation.
Julie took her last breath. And her heart beat for the last time at 750pm on September 8 2021.
May she forever rest in peace!
She will forever be remembered, honored and loved by all!
Most certainly she will be missed!!
The family thanked the community for their continued support and is asking for privacy at this time.
A Change.org petitionhas been created asking Currituck County Schools to provide crosswalks for every school in the area.
"Fight for Julie" t-shirts are being sold to support Julie's family. If you'd like to purchase one, you can contact Rachel Lovelace at 757-373-5895 or email rachel.m.lovelace@gmail.com.
Donations can also be sent via CashApp here or to the tag $Hope4Julie.
