Updated: Davidson County School Board Member allegedly hits 14-Year-Old in suspected DWI crash
A Davidson County Board of Education member has resigned amid criminal charges and mounting public backlash after a head-on crash that injured a 14-year-old child. The incident, which occurred on the evening of April 9 along NC Highway 109 near Jolly Road, has sparked widespread concern over public safety and leadership accountability.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Ashley Hicks Carroll, 43, of Thomasville, attempted a left turn in her 2024 Toyota station wagon and collided with an oncoming vehicle. One of the passengers in that vehicle, 14-year-old, sustained injuries in the crash. Their condition has not yet been released.
Alcohol Involved, Impairment Suspected
Trooper Jacob Thompson responded to the scene and reported strong indications of alcohol impairment. An open container—a bottle of Voodoo alcohol—was found under the front seat of Carroll’s vehicle. Additional signs included glassy eyes and the smell of alcohol.
Carroll refused both breath and blood tests at the scene, which led the trooper to obtain a search warrant for a blood draw. Though she remained polite and cooperative, Carroll declined to answer questions about the incident.
Criminal Charges Filed
Carroll is now facing four misdemeanor charges, listed under citation number 45173H0:
Open container of alcohol in a vehicle after drinking (G.S. 20-138.7(a1))
Driving while subject to an impairing substance (G.S. 20-138.1)
Failure to yield right-of-way while turning left (G.S. 20-155(b))
Operating a vehicle without a valid electronic inspection—her inspection expired in February 2025 (G.S. 20-183.4C(a)(1))
She is scheduled to appear in Lexington District Court on April 25 at 9:30 am
Resignation Announced
Facing escalating calls for accountability, Carroll officially resigned from the Davidson County School Board on Thursday afternoon. The board acknowledged her resignation.
The community had begun organizing within hours of the crash, with local social media channels flooded by demands for Carroll to step down. Hashtags like #ResignCarroll and #ProtectOurKids gained momentum, alongside a digital petition signed by hundreds of residents.
The Davidson County School Board issued this statement: “According to law enforcement, the motor vehicle accident that occurred on the evening of April 9, 2025 on Highway 109 in the Silver Valley area involved Davidson County Board of Education member Ms. Ashley Carroll. As of the afternoon of April 10, 2025 Ms. Carroll has officially submitted her immediate resignation from the Davidson County Board of Education and said resignation has been accepted by the Davidson County Board of Education Chair and Vice-Chair. The Davidson County Board of Education will soon begin the process of filling the Board membership vacancy as a result of Ms. Carroll’s resignation.”
The board said, “Our hearts and prayers are with all parties involved in this unfortunate incident.”
