Appeals Court Upholds Conviction in Fatal Greensboro Crash
The North Carolina State Court of Appeals affirmed the felony death by vehicle conviction against Destiny Nicole Hankins.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Accidents
The North Carolina State Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Destiny Nicole Hankins, who was involved in a fatal 2024 crash in Greensboro. Hankins now faces a prison sentence ranging from 64 to 89 months for her role in the incident.
Why it matters
The ruling confirms legal accountability following a collision that resulted in a death on a Greensboro interstate ramp. It solidifies the state's prosecution of felony death by vehicle charges involving drug impairment.
Destiny Nicole Hankins faces 64 to 89 months in prison following the appellate court's decision to uphold her conviction for felony death by vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The players
Destiny Nicole Hankins
She is the defendant convicted of felony death by vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Marcus Antonio Nivens
He was the 62-year-old victim who died after being struck while pouring gas into his vehicle.
North Carolina State Court of Appeals
This is the judicial body that reviewed and ultimately upheld the lower court conviction.
The details
On February 14, 2024, 24-year-old Hankins drove her 1999 Toyota Corolla onto an I-73 ramp off I-40, where she struck a parked 2008 Chrysler Sebring and 62-year-old Marcus Antonio Nivens, who was fueling his 2021 GMC Yukon. Drug screening revealed opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and THC in her system, while officers discovered drug paraphernalia in her vehicle.
Timeline
February 14, 2024: The crash occurred on an I-73 ramp in Greensboro.
October 29, 2026: The North Carolina State Court of Appeals upheld the conviction.
Legal Context
This case aligns with North Carolina's felony death by vehicle statutes, which carry strict penalties for those who cause fatal accidents while impaired. It reinforces existing legal precedents regarding the prosecution of drivers found with drug paraphernalia and multiple illicit substances.
The ruling provides closure to a case that occurred on a major regional interchange, reminding local motorists of the strict enforcement of impaired driving laws. Residents should remain aware that authorities prioritize the investigation of vehicle fatalities involving substance use.
The takeaway
This case underscores the severe legal consequences of driving under the influence of multiple substances. It serves as a reminder of the life-altering outcomes caused by impaired driving on local roadways.
Further reading
For more information on regional traffic safety issues, see Greensboro accidents.
