Tragedy struck a Harnett County family Sunday afternoon after a van carrying five children overturned killing one.
The accident was reported at 3:20pm on Jonesboro Road outside of Dunn. Harnett and Johnston County emergency crews responded to the single vehicle accident.
According to the NC Highway Patrol, Alicia Miranda Marie West, 26, of Erwin was traveling eastbound on Jonesboro Road in her Nissan Quest when she lost control and traveled left of center. Her van then reentered the eastbound travel lane before running off the roadway on the right, striking a ditch and overturning.
Her 2 year-old son, Walter West, was riding in the third row seat. The child was partially ejected and died after the van came to rest on top of him.
Four other children in the vehicle, ranging in age from 5 months to 7 years of age, suffered minor injuries.
On Monday, the Highway Patrol said the crash was still under investigation and the cause of the collision had not been determined. Trooper J.D. Foushee is the lead investigator.
Photos by John Payne
