Makayla Simone Carter Killed in Roanoke DUI Crash: Xaviar James Gaither Charged with DUI and Involuntary Manslaughter Following High-Speed Collision That Left BMW Upside Down in Tree and Claimed Life of 22-Year-Old Woman
Makayla Simone Carter Killed in Roanoke DUI Crash: Xaviar James Gaither Charged with DUI and Involuntary Manslaughter Following High-Speed Collision That Left BMW Upside Down in Tree and Claimed Life of 22-Year-Old Woman
ROANOKE, Va. —
Makayla Simone Carter, a 22-year-old woman from Roanoke, tragically lost her life in a devastating single-vehicle crash in the early hours of Sunday morning, May 18, 2025. The crash occurred at approximately 3:24 a.m. at the intersection of Gainsboro Road and Harrison Avenue NW in northwest Roanoke. The man behind the wheel, 21-year-old Xaviar James Gaither, also of Roanoke, has been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), involuntary manslaughter, and additional related charges in connection with the fatal incident.
According to the Roanoke Police Department, emergency personnel arrived on the scene shortly after the 911 call to find a shocking and chaotic scene. The vehicle involved, a white BMW 540i, was discovered overturned and lodged within a tree near the intersection. Of the four individuals involved in the crash, two women were found trapped inside the mangled vehicle, while two men, including the driver, had been ejected or had exited the car prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
First responders immediately began rescue efforts to free the trapped victims using hydraulic extrication tools. Despite their efforts, one of the women—later identified by the Roanoke City Medical Examiner’s Office as Makayla Simone Carter—was pronounced dead at the scene due to catastrophic injuries. The second woman sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Her name has not been released at this time.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the BMW had been traveling at an extremely high rate of speed, significantly over the posted limit, when Gaither lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses told investigators they heard the roar of the engine just before the sound of a violent crash echoed through the neighborhood. The car reportedly struck a curb, hit a utility pole, and then became airborne before coming to rest upside down in the branches of a large oak tree.
Field sobriety tests and toxicology screenings conducted at the scene indicated that Gaither was impaired at the time of the crash. Police officials have stated that his blood alcohol content (BAC) was well above the legal limit, although exact numbers have not yet been made public pending lab confirmation. Gaither sustained minor injuries and was treated at the hospital before being taken into custody.
He is currently being held without bond at the Roanoke City Jail and faces a growing list of charges including DUI, DUI maiming, involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as the investigation continues.
Court records indicate that Gaither has a history of traffic-related offenses, though no prior DUI convictions. Nonetheless, community members are now questioning how a young man with such a driving record was allowed back on the road—and whether more preventative measures could have saved a life.
Makayla Carter’s family has been devastated by the news of her untimely death. Described by friends and relatives as “a light in every room she entered,” Carter had recently graduated from Virginia Western Community College and was planning to continue her education in nursing. “She had such a beautiful soul,” said Jasmine Hill, a close friend of the victim. “She always talked about wanting to help people. It’s cruel that someone’s carelessness took her away from us.”
Neighbors near the crash site have expressed both grief and outrage, with several noting that the intersection of Gainsboro Road and Harrison Avenue has long been a hotspot for speeding and reckless driving, particularly in the early morning hours. “It’s not the first time there’s been a wreck here,” said local resident Robert Easley. “But this is by far the worst. Something has to change.”
Roanoke City Council officials issued a statement Monday morning expressing condolences to the victim’s family and promising a review of traffic safety measures in the area. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Makayla Carter, and we are committed to examining all contributing factors that led to this tragedy,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Roanoke Police Chief Samuel Roman addressed the public in a press conference later that day. “This is a heartbreaking incident that underscores the lethal consequences of impaired driving,” Chief Roman said. “It is a senseless loss that could have been prevented. We will pursue justice for the victim and her family with the full weight of the law.”
The community has since rallied around Carter’s family, organizing a candlelight vigil and a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs and honor her memory. The vigil is scheduled to take place Friday night at Washington Park, a location Carter frequently visited with friends.
As for the investigation, authorities are continuing to gather evidence, including surveillance footage from nearby businesses and dashcam data, to piece together a clearer timeline of the events leading up to the crash. The results of Gaither’s toxicology report will likely play a crucial role in the legal proceedings ahead.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter and DUI-related charges, Gaither could face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the maximum allowable penalties given the severity of the offense and the loss of life.
This tragedy adds to the growing number of fatal DUI-related crashes across the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for over 270 deaths in the state in 2024—a grim statistic that continues to rise despite public safety campaigns and stricter enforcement.
Advocacy groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are using this case to highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive DUI prevention strategies. “Every crash like this is 100% preventable,” said Karen Long, Virginia spokesperson for MADD. “We need ignition interlock systems, more sobriety checkpoints, and stronger penalties for repeat offenders. One life lost is too many.”
Makayla Carter’s family has called on local leaders to do more than offer condolences. In a public statement, her older brother, Marcus Carter, said: “Makayla had so much life left to live. We don’t want her death to be just another headline. We want real change. We want accountability.”
As the case proceeds through the legal system, community members are left grappling with the pain of losing a promising young woman to a decision that should never have been made—to drive under the influence. The emotional toll is profound, and the demand for justice is resounding.
Funeral arrangements for Makayla Simone Carter are currently being finalized and will be announced by the family in the coming days. In the meantime, the city of Roanoke mourns her loss and looks inward, questioning what must be done to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
