No charges in wreck that claimed lives of Carpenter, Neal
Published 12:11 pm Friday, September 23, 2011
No criminal charges are being filed in the May wreck that claimed the lives of two Red Level students.
Evan Carpenter, 14, and Michael Levi Neal, 15, were riding in the bed of a pickup truck driven by Steven Padgett, 28, that overturned twice. Carpenter was pronounced dead at the scene, and Neal was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
In a statement released Friday morning by the Florida Highway Patrol, the agency said the homicide investigation is complete and has led to non-criminal traffic citations.
Padgett, 28, Red Level, was cited for careless driving, safety belt usage and safety belt usage/passengers under 18.
Denyelle Padgett, a passenger in the vehicle, also was cited for safety belt usage.
“There were no criminal violations discovered during the course of this investigation and at this point the case is closed,” the statement said.