News Briefs

NEWS in brief Four people charged after

alcohol-related vehicle collision

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO The Stokesdale fi re station is sporting a new look after undergoing months of repair for damage from water seeping into the building’s brick exterior and causing the metal plates above the windows and doors to rust. Repair work included replacing windows and adding a stucco exterior covering to avoid similar issues in the future. Todd Gauldin, Stokesdale Fire Department chief, said the work, which started in November, is nearly complete but shortages of caulking material have delayed the fi nish. The repair project was bid at $169,000.

Two passengers died, driver and another passenger injured in June 25 collision

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Driver Jacob Stevens and a mother and son have been criminally charged after two 19-year-olds died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident last month. A minor also faces charges.

The N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division announced the charges last week following the traffic accident on Williard Road in Oak Ridge just before 7 p.m. June 25. Jeffrey “Jeff” Robert Jones died at the scene and Zachary “Zach” Porter Williamson died a day later in the hospital.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to the single-vehicle accident and later contacted ALE due to the suspected involvement of alcoholic beverages in the wreck, ALE said in a news release July 7.

Stevens, 18, and the third passenger, 19-year-old Tavis Williamson, were injured in the crash.

ALE said its special agents determined that Stevens and the passengers in his pickup truck were all underage and used fake IDs to purchase alcoholic beverages at an ABC-licensed restaurant in Oak Ridge. Earlier that day, the four teens had consumed alcohol at a house party on Leadenhall Road in Oak Ridge.

The homeowner, Lauren Penizotto, was present during the party and her son, Nathaniel Penizotto, 21, purchased alcohol for the party, according to ALE. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of “numerous bottles of

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