Giving Alcohol to a Teen Before DWI Crash in North Carolina: What are the Consequences?

You may be aware that marijuana is still illegal in North Carolina, but possession is only one potential cannabis-related crime to be aware of. Adults in the Tar Heel State also face serious consequences for providing teens with marijuana before DWI crashes. A recent case illustrates this potential issue, and it shows that simply giving drugs and alcohol to a teen can lead to serious cannabis charges in North Carolina if the teen subsequently crashes. 

Officials Accuse Two Adults of Causing Teen DWI Crash by Providing Drugs and Alcohol

On March 12th, 2026, CBS 17 reported that officials in North Carolina had arrested two women in connection with a fatal DWI crash. The crash itself occurred in the fall of 2025, and it claimed the lives of two teens. Images from the scene show the victims’ vehicle completely crushed, with the backseat area utterly squashed. Both teen passengers (one 18, the other 16) died when the driver smashed into a tree at high speed. 

Police say that the teens reached speeds of over 120 miles per hour after being pursued by officers. The driver and the front passenger survived the impact with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials then discovered alcohol and marijuana inside the vehicle and determined that the driver was intoxicated during the pursuit. The 17-year-old driver now faces murder charges. 

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) then became involved in the investigation, ultimately determining that two women had provided the teens with cannabis and alcohol prior to the crash. These women, both in their 40s, allegedly gave the children access to drugs (but did not necessarily sell cannabis to them). 

The circumstances in which the women provided cannabis are not exactly clear. However, they face charges of delivering marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver (PWID), maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, and aiding/abetting a person under 21 in obtaining alcoholic beverages. Both women also face felony conspiracy charges. 

Although the women might have been related to the teens, one would expect ALE to formally announce this fact. That being said, the authorities may be attempting to keep this detail confidential in order to protect the identities of the minor victims/defendants. 

The key takeaway is that providing cannabis to a minor is more serious than providing it to an adult in North Carolina, and you may face additional charges beyond PWID and cannabis possession. Even if you believe that providing a small amount of weed to an older teenager is no big deal, you could face life-changing criminal charges if the teen subsequently crashes their vehicle. 

Can a North Carolina Cannabis Defense Attorney Help Me?

A North Carolina cannabis defense attorney may be able to help if you face criminal charges. Although possession charges are common in the Tar Heel State, this recent case shows that adults may also face a range of consequences for providing cannabis to minors. If you are facing virtually any type of cannabis charge imaginable, contact Coastal South Law for further guidance.