Carter Varnell, the head football coach and athletic director at SouthWest Edgecombe High School, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning, around 4:25 a.m., on Jetstream Drive in Wilson, North Carolina, near Varnell’s home.
Varnell, 31, was allegedly driving a gold Dodge Ram when he collided with a green Toyota Sequoia that was parked on the street.
According to reports, officers responded to a call about a crash involving a green Toyota Sequoia that had sustained significant damage to its rear left corner.
The trail of debris led them to a gold Dodge Ram, which appeared to be the other vehicle involved.
Carter Varnell Allegedly Fled The Scene After Crashing His Vehicle!
Carter Varnell has had a long-standing connection to football, both as a player and a coach.
He graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 2010, where he played football and baseball.
As a sophomore, he was part of the 2008 3A state championship baseball team.
He later pursued his education at East Carolina University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 2014.
Later in 2010, he began his coaching career at Rocky Mount Senior High, where he served as an assistant football coach and head varsity baseball coach for several years.
Also, he was part of the 2015 3A state championship football coaching staff and the 2016 3A state runner-up team.
In 2020, he was appointed head football coach at SouthWest Edgecombe High School, where he also worked as a physical education teacher.
His recent arrest came just hours after his team secured a 47-0 victory over North Edgecombe in their season opener.
Witnesses reported that Varnell ran from his truck after the crash.
Officers later found him and charged him with misdemeanor hit and run, careless and reckless driving, and resisting, obstructing, or delaying a public officer.
Later, he was given a $1,000 secured bond. It means he likely was released after posting bail.
However, his coaching career could be impacted by this case, but there has been no official statement from the authorities.
His current status at the school remains unclear, as officials have not yet commented on his future with the team.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Both of his parents, Mike Varnell and Ellen Mills, graduated from Southwest Edgecombe High School.
- His father played football and baseball, while his mother was a softball player during high school.
- Varnell is married to Macey Varnell, and they live in Wilson, North Carolina.
