SMITHFIELD, N.C. — More than five months after a horrific Interstate 95 crash forever changed the life of a Smithfield man, the Virginia driver responsible has received the maximum punishment allowed by law.
On August 4, Makayli Pierce, 22, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in Johnston County Superior Court to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the Feb. 27 crash that left Virgil Lamark Archibald II, 38, permanently disabled after both of his legs were amputated.
Pierce pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, felony serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without insurance, and operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license. Prosecutors said the court imposed the maximum sentence permitted under North Carolina law…