1000 x 90

21-Year-Old Charged With Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle in January Crash on N.C. 105

Reeder
Reeder

By Jesse Wood

The Boone Police Department has completed its investigation of the January car crash that killed Appalachian State University student Jacob Dylan Whitaker, 21, of Wake Forest, on N.C. 105 in Boone.

On Wednesday, the Boone Police Department said Master Police Officer Joe Knapp charged Jonathan Dylan Reeder, 21, of Boone, with misdemeanor death by vehicle, exceeding posted speed limit and driving left of center.

Reeder was given a $2,000 unsecured bond pending a court appearance on June 18.

While Whitaker died, Reeder didn’t suffer major injuries as he refused medical treatment at the scene.

Knapp said that Reeder was going 48 mph within the 35 mph zone and that he doesn’t know why Reeder crossed the centerline.

Knapp said that they were able to eliminate impairment after toxicology reports came back clean. Knapp also said that Reeder gave consent to investigators to access his cell phone data and no cell phone activity was recorded at the time of the crash.

“We eliminated cell phone [use] and any signs of impairment,” Knapp said. “Why did [he cross the centerline]? I don’t really know … It’s just a horrible situation.”

Knapp said that he interviewed Reeder following the crash and Reeder had no recollection of the crash.

“Was it a medical condition or did he fall asleep? It’s unknown,” Knapp said.

Knapp concluded his investigation and submitted his report to the District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.