Teenagers are dying on Johnston County roads at a sobering rate.

Last year, Johnston County led the state with 11 teen driving fatalities.

This year, it's second in the state -- behind Buncombe County -- with eight teenagers killed on area roads.

Best friends, Matt Stewart and Brandon Baker, died together three months ago on a two-lane road in Princeton.

"He was 6 foot 4, he weighed 260 pounds and wore a size 15 shoe," said Julie Stewart, Matt's mom.

Matt, nicknamed "Big Country" in part because of his size, was a senior at Princeton High School.

Brandon, a Princeton graduate, just turned 21.

Both were killed when the car they were riding in collided head-on into another vehicle. Highway Patrol officials say speed was a factor.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And that's how we're getting through," Stewart said.

Drew Smith, a West Johnston High School Senior, had plans to join the Army after graduation.

But earlier this month those plans, along with Drew, died, when the car he was riding in crashed.

Déjà vu for Julie Stewart.

"It was like reliving it all over again. I just I couldn't be still. I wanted to reach out to that family so bad. I knew what they were going through," said Stewart.

State troopers say speed contributed to Drew's crash, too.

"These guys have got to realize I'm giving you a loaded gun when you sit behind that wheel," warned Brandon's mom Christy Baker.

But why Johnston County?

State troopers say when you have the inexperience of teenage drivers, plus speed, all on top of these rural country roads, it all adds up to a deadly combination.

"They slow down, they pay attention to what they're doing, overall you're going to see a significant decrease," according to State Trooper J.M. Dorsey.

Which is why law enforcement's cracking down on speeding teenagers around high schools.

The Highway Patrol kicked off "Operation Drive to Live" last month.

Johnston County Schools are also trying to put the brakes on teen traffic fatalities by launching a new campaign whose slogan is "Because We Care."

The campaign adds seven hours to the schools' Drivers Ed programs and includes a defensive driving course.

And the superintendent warns any teens caught speeding or not wearing a seatbelt run the risk of losing their school parking permit privileges.

"Take that privilege away. Those kids have got to realize driving is a privilege," said Baker.

Baker and Julie Stewart are also trying to get through to teens through "Alive at 25," a safe driving course.

For Julie, all that's left of Big Country, who loved horses, is in a box, in his room, the way he left it.

Julie hopes sharing her son's story will save just one teen and keep one family from endless heartache.

Johnston County Schools say the extended Drivers Ed curriculum starts next month.

But the other aspects of the safe driving program have been in effect since last week.

Related Links

1. Alive at 25 Course Information
2. Princeton High School Flip Maniacs