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A Huntersville man accused of driving a car that wrecked Monday - killing a mother and her toddler - has a long history of speeding and had been scheduled to be appear in court for several felonies Monday, records show.
Courtney Puckett, 26, and her 1-year-old daughter were riding in a car shortly before 1p.m. when the driver veered off Wynfield Creek Parkway and slammed into a tree.
The car hit on the passenger side. Puckett and her daughter, who was riding in a car seat in back, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, 28-year-old Seth Smith, was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in critical condition. Huntersville police are investigating the crash but believe excessive speed was the main cause.
Court records show Smith has been charged at least eight times in North Carolina with speeding since he was 18, in 1999. He has also been charged with driving while his license was revoked and for miscellaneous vehicular offenses.
In 2006, he was convicted of reckless driving to endanger for driving 79 mph in a 45 mph zone. He paid a $25 fine, and charges of speeding and driving without a license were dismissed.
He was arrested three times on speeding charges this year. In March, he was charged with driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone and in April for going 52 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Smith paid $136 in fines and court costs for both of those offenses.
In May he was arrested and charged with driving 78 mph in a 55 mph zone. That offense was dismissed in June.
Smith had been scheduled to appear in court Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, breaking into a motor vehicle and felony larceny, all stemming from an August arrest.
It couldn't be determined Tuesday night whether he made his court appearance or not.
It's unclear why Puckett was riding with Smith.
Their families could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Smith's condition at CMC wasn't available Tuesday. He has not been charged with any crimes in connection with Monday's wreck.
