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Child killed, 2 others injured in Lincolnton crash

NC Highway Patrol said the initial investigation indicates impairment was a contributing factor.

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — A 4-year-old was killed and two other children were hurt after a crash involving two vehicles in Lincoln County Friday afternoon, officials said.

Lincoln County Emergency Medical Services and North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to an accident along Startown Road, not far from Ritchie Road, in Lincolnton just before 1:15 p.m. where they found a crash involving two vehicles and five people.

MORE NEWS: Man accused of nearly hitting kids near school bus gets several charges

The NC State Highway Patrol said a Mercedes ML 350 was traveling north on Startown Road when the driver failed to slow down and hit a stopped 1994 Toyota truck that was waiting to turn.

A 4-year-old in the Toyota died due to his injuries at the scene of the crash, according to highway patrol. Two other passengers in the Toyota, ages 8 and 2, were hurt and taken to local hospitals by EMS. 

The driver of the Toyota, 63-year-old Jorge Vivas of Lincolnton, was not injured. 

NC Highway Patrol said the children in the Toyota were not restrained by car seats.  

The driver of the Mercedes, 40-year-old Tracy Blanton of Lincolnton, was not injured. NC Highway Patrol said the initial investigation indicates impairment was a contributing factor in the crash.

Blanton was arrested and is being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center. She has been charged with felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, failure to reduce speed, and possession of methamphetamine, as well as multiple vehicle violations.  

Blanton received a $65,000 bond.

Editor's Note: The original version of this story noted two adults and two juveniles were injured and one juvenile had died, based on information from Lincoln County EMS. Lincoln County EMS later said the original news release was not correct, and that no juveniles had died but all three were taken to hospitals for treatment. Shortly after 7 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol in a news release said a 4-year-old was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash. This story reflects the most recent news release from the NC State Highway Patrol. 

WCNC Charlotte has reached out to Lincoln County EMS for comment and clarification and at this time has not heard back. 

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