Parents and Community React to 21-Year Old Woman’s Death
The parents of a Humboldt woman killed in a car accident Saturday said they hope young people take a lesson from their daughter’s death. “Please don’t drink and drive because you’re going to take away somebody’s little angel,” said Pamela Poteete, mother of Misty Poteete, 21, of Humboldt. Authorities said Poteete was traveling on Cotton Grove Road near the intersection of Leepers Lane early Saturday morning with Matthew Richardson, 21, of Jackson when investigators said Richardson loss control of his vehicle, ejecting both he and Poteete from the vehicle. “The investigation does suggest they were not wearing their seat belts,” said Sheriff David Woolfork of Madison County. Sheriff Woolfork said Poteete was pronounced dead on the scene. He said Richardson was taken to an area hospital, but later released to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Richardson faces charges of vehicular homicide and driving while under the influence. “He (Richardson) seemed very polite and he told me not to worry about Missy and he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He didn’t keep that promise,” said Poteete. She said her daughter introduced her to Richardson for the first time, Friday, before she and Richardson left to go to a club. “She came out the door and got in the truck with him. When he went to turn around he sped out really quickly,” said Lori Brown, a neighbor who witnessed Poteete’s daughter leaving. Poteete said neither her daughter nor Richardson appeared intoxicated before leaving. “She called me on the phone and pretty much told me Misty was dead,” said David Lawrence Poteete, Misty’s father. The parents of Matthew Richardson were contacted by 7 Eyewitness News, but declined an on-camera interview. Richardson is due in court, Monday, February 12.
