Two teenage boys injured in Porsche 911 crash that killed 16-year-old daughter of Lowe's exec near T

December 2021 · 6 minute read

The two teenage boys who were injured when a Porsche 911 crashed and killed its driver, the daughter of a Lowe's exec, have been identified.  

John Witherspoon and Colin Goracke, both 16, were also in the car with Stella Grace Bright when the car flew off the road at 3.30am and ended up in a rock landscaping wall in Lake Norman, North Carolina.

The two boys - one of which was in the front seat, and the other at the back of the car without a seatbelt on - are both still in hospital.  

The car, a 2014 Porsche 911, is not designed for more than two passengers.

Stella died from her injuries at the scene on Brawley School Road. Witherspoon and Goracke were taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Tributes have poured in for Stella Grace Bright after she tragically died following a late night car wreck near Lake Norman, North Carolina

Tributes have poured in for Stella Grace Bright after she tragically died following a late night car wreck near Lake Norman, North Carolina

Bright's grief-stricken friends described her as a fun and gregarious teen who would 'light up the room'. She is pictured with a friend and her twin sister Livi.

Bright's grief-stricken friends described her as a fun and gregarious teen who would 'light up the room'. She is pictured with a friend and her twin sister Livi.

Students at the Lake Norman Christian School gathered in their gym for group prayers yesterday as the two boys still recover in hospital. The severity of their condition is not known

Students at the Lake Norman Christian School gathered in their gym for group prayers yesterday as the two boys still recover in hospital. The severity of their condition is not known

The tragedy unfolded at around 3:20am Saturday, less than two miles from her family's lavish $2.6 million lake house. 

Students at the Lake Norman Christian School gathered in their gym for group prayers yesterday as the two boys still recover in hospital. The severity of their condition is not known.  

A coach at the school Jeramy Smith wrote on social media: 'Today students filled the gym at Lake Norman to gather together in prayer for the Bright Family, who lost their daughter in a tragic car accident as well as for Colin Grocke and John Witherspoon who are still in the hospital. 

'The Bright family, mom, dad, sister and friends, attend as well! We were able to hear from Mr. Bright who shared his thanks from the students for the love and prayers throughout the past couple of days. 

'It brought shilling tears to my eyes as we saw the Men’s Lacrosse Team come in solidarity to lift up their teammate in prayer. Our prayers are with Colin and John as they recover.

'To my friends, ministers and school counselors for staying long after the bell dismal to pray, embrace, and love on our students, I just want to thank you!

Authorities determined that Bright had been speeding when she plowed her Porsche supercar into a tree and a rock landscaping wall, which killed the teen and hospitalized two others

Authorities determined that Bright had been speeding when she plowed her Porsche supercar into a tree and a rock landscaping wall, which killed the teen and hospitalized two others

The school students joined in a prayer circle for the three who were killed and injured

The school students joined in a prayer circle for the three who were killed and injured 

The 16-year-old was driving her 2014 Porshe 911 sportscar when the tragedy unfolded at around 3:20am on Saturday (stock picture)

The 16-year-old was driving her 2014 Porshe 911 sportscar when the tragedy unfolded at around 3:20am on Saturday (stock picture)

'Parents our young people are precious and resilient, please hug them a little tighter this week and be a little more present in how God is moving in their hearts. Our hearts ache, but Christ is our hope and peace through the storms.'

Heartbreaking tributes have poured in following the 16-year-old's death, with her grief-stricken twin mourning the loss of her 'other half'.

'I don't know how I'm going to live another day without you u (sic) meant the world to me and still do. You didn't deserve to go this soon you really didn't,' Olivia wrote. 

'I won't stop thinking about you and I know you want me to be happy so I'm going to try to be happy just for you.' 

In a news release following the collision, North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Casey declined to say what speed the teen reached before the crash, but determined that it was the contributing factor to the wreck.

It is unclear if the supercar - which has a top speed of 199mph - was owned by Bright outright, or if she had been insured on a car belonging to her parents Teresa and Chris. Local news outlets including the Charlotte Observer described the car as hers.

As investigations were launched to determine the cause of the tragic accident, police closed off the scene for over three hours. 

The collision occurred in the area of Mansfield Loop, around five miles from Donald Trump's golf course Trump National Charlotte. 

Casey did not elaborate on what Bright and her two friends were doing before the accident, with the teen succumbing to her injuries less than two miles from her luxurious family home by Lake Norman.   

Many of the teen's friends took to social media to share poignant memories with her

Many of the teen's friends took to social media to share poignant memories with her

Bright is pictured trying on a hat. She was killed after crashing her Porsche in the early hours of Saturday

Bright is pictured trying on a hat. She was killed after crashing her Porsche in the early hours of Saturday

The teen's friend Jocelyn Carroll (right) said Bright 'always knew how to put a smile on anyone's face'

The teen's friend Jocelyn Carroll (right) said Bright 'always knew how to put a smile on anyone's face' 

The teen's father, Chris Bright, is an executive at Lowe's and previously worked as a vice president at Nordstrom

The teen's father, Chris Bright, is an executive at Lowe's and previously worked as a vice president at Nordstrom

The picturesque lakefront home is decked out wit a private pier, saltwater pool and lavish spa. 

Her father, Chris Bright, is the Vice President of Market Delivery & Final Mile at Lowe's, the second largest home improvement retailer in America. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, he joined the company three years ago, and previously worked as the vice president of supply chains at Nordstrom. 

Stella's mom Teresa has a gift-making business and regularly posted photos of her daughters and their stunning home online. The family originally hail from the Pacific Northwest. 

Following news of the 16-year-old's passing, her heartbroken friends and family have shared poignant memories with the teen, describing her as a kind and warm individual who 'lit up the room'.

Her best friend Jocelyn Carroll took to Instagram to share memories with the teen, saying: 'Rest in peace to my bestest friend in the whole universe.

'I can't even begin to describe with words how grateful I am to have met you and to be apart of your life. You are so amazing and caring ad kind and talented and you had such a beautiful soul.

'You always know how to put a smile on anyone's face... you were the bestest sister I never got to have and I miss you so much. I'm so sorry I never got to say goodbye.' 

Another friend Nikki Degroot said she knew the teen for two years, and would miss her 'sweet laugh' and 'hilarious sense of humor.' 

'There are absolutely no words to describe how much you were loved and how we are all going to miss you so so so much,' she continued in the post alongside pictures of a smiling Bright with her pals.

'You lit up every rom you walked into and I loved every minute I've ever spent with you.' 

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