**Codey Jones Found Guilty in DUI Crash That Killed 19-Year-Old Victoria Brown in Winston-Salem**

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Forsyth County courtroom was filled with emotion Friday morning as jurors returned a unanimous verdict in the highly anticipated trial of Codey Jones, the man charged in connection with a devastating crash that claimed the life of 19-year-old Victoria Brown. After several days of gut-wrenching testimony, legal arguments, and emotional witness statements, the jury found Jones guilty on all counts, bringing a measure of justice to a family and community still grappling with unimaginable loss.

The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of July 15, 2023, along Highway 52, when Codey Jones, then 26, was reportedly driving at excessive speeds while under the influence of alcohol. Authorities said his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and struck Victoria Brown’s car head-on. Brown, a recent high school graduate and freshman student at Winston-Salem State University, was killed instantly. Her passenger, a close friend, suffered critical injuries but survived.

The trial began earlier this month and captivated the Winston-Salem community. Prosecutors laid out a heartbreaking timeline of events, introducing surveillance footage, toxicology reports, and witness testimony that painted a grim picture of the moments leading up to the crash. Jones, who had a prior DUI conviction, was alleged to have left a downtown bar just minutes before the collision, with a blood alcohol level nearly double the legal limit.

In closing arguments, District Attorney Katherine Hughes delivered a powerful appeal to the jury, saying, “Victoria Brown’s life mattered. Her future was stolen not by an accident, but by a series of reckless, selfish choices. Today, you have the power to speak for her.”

The courtroom was tense as the jury delivered its verdict: guilty of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, reckless driving, and aggravated assault. Members of Victoria’s family held hands tightly, some sobbing as the verdict was read aloud.

Her mother, Cassandra Brown, who had attended every day of the trial, gave a statement outside the courthouse following the verdict.

“We’ve waited two long years for this moment. Nothing will bring Victoria back, but today, we feel seen. We feel like her voice was finally heard. We are grateful to the jury for honoring her memory with this decision.”

Victoria Brown was remembered throughout the trial not just as a victim, but as a vibrant young woman full of promise. A former honor student at East Forsyth High School, she was studying nursing and dreamed of becoming a pediatric nurse. Her friends described her as a beam of sunshine — someone who radiated warmth and had an uncanny ability to make others smile, even in their darkest moments.

“Victoria had a laugh that you could hear across the room,” said longtime friend Tia Morgan, who survived the crash. “She was the kind of person you don’t meet twice.”

Judge Aaron Whitmore, who presided over the case, scheduled sentencing for next month. Jones faces up to 35 years in prison. While his defense team has not yet announced plans to appeal, the judge denied a motion for bond, and Jones was remanded into custody immediately following the verdict.

The case has reignited community conversations about impaired driving, particularly among young adults. Several advocacy groups, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), have announced plans to hold awareness events in Forsyth County in Victoria’s honor.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Sunday evening at Bailey Park, where members of the public are invited to remember Victoria’s life, share stories, and reaffirm a commitment to road safety and responsibility.

As the community of Winston-Salem moves forward, the memory of Victoria Brown continues to shine brightly — not just in the courtroom, but in every heart she touched with her short yet impactful life. Her legacy now carries the hope of saving lives through awareness, change, and justice finally served.