MORGANTON, NC (WBTV) – Amie Jo Skeens has now been charged with murder in the wreck involving a father and son on a motorcycle two weeks ago.
Skeens, 37, was initially charged with DWI and felony hit and run after Stephen Moody and his son Kevin were killed October 25 on Airport-Rhodhiss Road. Skeens was charged with two counts of second degree murder on Wednesday morning.
District Attorney James C. Gaither told WBTV Skeens could face up to eighteen and a half years in prison for each count if convicted, in addition to the DWI charge and previous drug charges. More charges are also expected to be filed in connection with the wreck.
The father and son were riding on a motorcycle with friends just ahead of them on another motorcycle when Skeens, according to Troopers, came around the corner into their lane.
The first motorcycle was sideswiped but the Moody’s motorcycle was hit head-on, throwing father and son into the windshield and onto the roadway.
Skeens, according to troopers, left the scene and pulled the vehicle into a wooded area about a mile down the road.
She was spotted by neighbors there and was arrested when authorities arrived on the scene. Brent and Kevin Moody were pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.
Skeens, say troopers, made a statement to the effect that she was “high.” A breathalyzer showed her blood alcohol level at .10, above the legal limit.
Authorities also secured a warrant to take some blood for further tests. Investigators think it’s possible she was under the influence of drugs as well at the time of the crash.
Skeens has a history of drug convictions and served probation. In her vehicle were pamphlets for Narcotics Anonymous and a book on the twelve step program the organization uses for recovering addicts.
She was served warrants from a 1996 case involving the alleged possession and sale of crack cocaine. Those warrants, according to officials, were never served at the time. Her name on the warrants is listed as Amie Jo Skeens Thrift.
Skeens is being held under a $50,000 bond for each murder charge in addition to the already $60,000 bond she received for the DWI and hit and run charges.
A first court appearance has been scheduled for November 7.
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