Fatal crash happened after couple let a 14-year-old drive the car, NC troopers say

A child died under unusual circumstances when a 14-year-old crashed while getting driving lessons from a couple “under the influence of an impairing substance,” according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

It happened around 8 p.m. on Friday, June 5, in a remote part of Uwharrie National Forest in Montgomery County, investigators say.

An investigation revealed the 14-year-old driver lost control of the Lexus, ran off the road and flipped near the intersection of Moccasin Creek Road and Deep Water Trail, troopers say.

The juvenile who died in the crash was a passenger identified as Kinsley Seay, WGHP says. She was not wearing a seat belt when the vehicle rolled over, officials said.

Troopers say the 14-year-old sitting behind the wheel was getting driving instructions from 40-year-old Travis Tonn and 35-year-old Melissa Tonn. Melissa Tonn’s two children, ages 14 and 8, were passengers in the vehicle, officials said.

The teen who was driving is not related to the Tonns, officials said. She was not injured in the crash.

Travis and Melissa Tonn have been charged with one count of felony involuntary manslaughter, three counts of felony child abuse, and one count of impaired supervision or instruction, court documents show. The couple lives in High Point.

A warrant reports the two adults exhibited “reckless disregard for human life” and were “grossly negligent” in allowing the 14-year-old to drive. The Tonns were “under the influence of an impairing substance” at the time, the warrant says.

Maps show the crash site is near the Deep Water Trail Camp, about a 75-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 12:40 PM.