3 adults charged in ATV accident that killed 2 Rosman High football players

Posted by author February 15, 2025 Football

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State law enforcement confirmed the arrests of three Transylvania County adults for their role in the deaths of two Roseman High School students, juniors Jayden Reynaldo and Layne Jones, in an ATV accident last August.

The two teenagers were driving on Old Wagon Road around 1 a.m. Aug. 25 when they ran off the road, struck a tree and were ejected from the vehicle. Both students were pronounced dead at the scene, the Citizen Times previously reported. At the time, North Carolina Highway Patrol believed excessive speed was the cause of the accident. Months later, law enforcement now believe alcohol to be a factor, according to Special Agent Antwan Happoldt.

Ashley Marie Darity, 34, of Rosman, was arrested by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents and charged with two counts of felony involuntary manslaughter, Happoldt told the Citizen Times. Darity was indicted on the charges in Transylvania Superior Court on Feb. 11, records show. State law enforcement officials have not confirmed what involvement Darity had in the deaths that led to the charges, though asked by the Citizen Times. Court records list Darity’s date of offense as Aug. 24, the day before the accident.

Brandon Kaine Rathbone, 47, and Patricia Faye Whitehead, 33, both of Balsam Grove, were also arrested in connection to the accident, Happoldt said. Both were arrested on Aug. 13 for aiding and abetting a person less than 21 years of age in the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, their arrest warrants state.

According to his arrest warrant, Rathbone held an underage house party and purchased a malt beverage in part for a 15-year-old. Both Rathbone and Whitehead “held the juvenile up to assist (them) in doing a keg stand,” according to the warrant. Whitehead is also accused of purchasing Twisted Tea, an alcoholic iced tea, for the underage teens.

North Carolina ALE Special Agents often work with N.C. State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies investigating vehicle collisions that result in the personal injury or death of people under the age of 21 when alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident.

This is an on-going investigation, Happoldt said.

Transylvania County Schools released a news release about the death of the two Rosman students on the afternoon of Aug. 25. Both played on the school’s football team.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of losing two of our beloved Rosman High School students in a devastating accident,” the release said. “Our community has been struck by an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these remarkable young individuals.”

Many Western North Carolina high schools posted messages of support and condolences across social media on the Sunday after the accident for Rosman, including Andrews, Brevard, Cherokee, Erwin, Franklin, Hayesville, Madison, Mitchell, Murphy, North Henderson, North Buncombe, Owen, Roberson, Smoky Mountain, Swain County and West Henderson.

Five days after the death of the two players, the Rosman football team dedicated its game against North Henderson to them. The Tigers left Reynaldo and Jones’ spots open on the field and let the play clock tick down to zero in their memory.

This story will be updated.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober