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SHALLOTTE, N.C. -- A Brunswick County community continues to cope with the aftermath of a fatal car accident involving a teen driver and a mother.

Authorities say Rita Alford, 35, was killed and her passenger injured Monday morning when their car was struck by one driven by 16-year-old Lajai Webster. Broken glass, skid marks and orange paint markings remain on that stretch of McMilly Road.

State Highway Patrol troopers say Webster passed a vehicle in a no-passing zone, and when returning to his lane, lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center line and collided with Alford's car.

Alford was pronounced dead at the scene. Both her passenger, 30-year-old Erin West, and Webster were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities believe Webster was on his way to school at West Brunswick High School. School officials said Alford has a daughter in the system as well.

As soon as they heard about the accident, school officials say they mobilized their crisis team.

"When we have any tragic situation in our system, we really do try to support all parties involved," said Jessica Swencki, a spokesperson for Brunswick Co. Schools.

Principal Jamal Woods said to make matters worse, fellow students witnessed the wreck and were the first on scene.

"One of the young men actually moved the other victim and got blood on his clothes in the process, so it was really traumatizing," said Woods.

Woods and troopers said they hope this tragic accident gives student drivers a reality check. The reality being that a vehicle can quickly become a deadly weapon.

"It's unfortunate but sometimes it takes a bad situation to open the minds of young teens in North Carolina," said Trooper Bryan Phillips.

The UNC Highway Safety Research Center said in 2009, more than 6,000 teen drivers were involved in car crashes; 199 of those crashes were fatal. Statistics do show that the number of fatal crashes involving a teen driver is going down.

"From time to time, I remind our students that a driver's license is not a right, it is a privilege, and with that privilege much responsibility comes with it," said Woods

At last check, West was still at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in serious condition.
Webster was taken the New Hanover Regional but hospital officials would not comment on his condition.

Authorities said charges are pending.