NC teen dragged by car killed

PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) - An Elizabeth City teen was arrested and charged with first degree murder after a 17-year-old was found dead outside a crashed vehicle.

Pasquotank County deputies and the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a traffic accident in the 100 block of Lisa's Way around 4:45 p.m. Sunday, November 20, a news release from the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office said.

When deputies arrived, they found 17-year-old James Edward Holley, Jr., outside of the driver's door unconscious. Medical personnel were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon investigating the incident, authorities said that Holley had been assaulted by 16-year-old Jamareus Tyrone Mallory, of 725 Oak Stump Road. Mallory is a student at Northeastern High School.

Holley was assaulted in his vehicle and then pushed out of the vehicle. Deputies said Mallory started driving Holley's vehicle, dragging Holley who was hung in his seat belt on the outside of the vehicle.

Mallory drove several hundred feet before wrecking the vehicle in a ditch, the release said.

Neighbor Wendy Sawyer heard the crash.

"It sounded like something had hit a building. It was so loud I looked to see what had happened. Then I saw the car turned over a couple of doors down from me," Sawyer said.

The car, impounded by the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office, is a 1995 Cutlass Ciera and belonged to Holley.

Sheriff Randy Cartwright said Mallory did not have a license and left the scene. Deputies later found Mallory at his home and charged him with first degree murder.

He was placed in Albemarle District Jail on $100,000 bond. 

Anyone with information involving this case is asked to contact our office at 252-338-2191 or call the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.