20-month-old, mother in critical condition after head-on crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A serious crash in northeast Charlotte has left a 20-month-old girl fighting for her life and also sent two others to the hospital Tuesday morning. 

Channel 9 has been on the scene of the crash on Rocky River Road near Hood Road since Tuesday morning.

Reporter Tina Terry talked to neighbors with serious concerns about the road where the crash happened.

Police said the 20-month-old girl was riding with her mother in the westbound lane when her mother veered into the opposite lane and hit another driver head-on.

The crash happened about a half a mile away from Dwayne McKinnon's front door around 7:30 a.m.

IMAGES: Scene of head-on crash in northeast Charlotte

Police said Dequira Fleming, 20, was driving a 2002 Honda Accord westbound on Rocky River Road when she crossed the double yellow line and plowed head-on into a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta driven by 41-year-old Michelle Heffernan.

Police said her 20-month-old daughter was in the car in a child booster seat that was not appropriate for her age or weight.

Fleming had to be flown to the hospital by helicopter.  Her daughter and the other driver were also transported -- all three with life-threatening injuries.  
 
Police haven't said what caused Fleming to veer from her lane, but neighbors nearby told Channel 9 accidents and near misses have been frequent on Rocky River Road.

"It's very narrow and it's very dangerous," McKinnon said.

"The swerves and the curves are dangerous real dangerous," said neighbor Shaneque Thompson.

Neighbors also said there aren't enough speed limit signs on the road.

As they wait to find out what caused this crash, they want more help to prevent other crashes.

"I would like to see more patrolling to keep the speed down," McKinnon said.

The hospital lists the 20-month-old and her mom in critical condition and the other driver in serious condition.  Police originally told Channel 9 the child was 3 years old, but later changed the age to 20 months.

Charlotte's Department of Transportation said there have been 18 crashes near Rocky River and Hood roads over the past five and a half years.
 
CDOT officials said the majority were rear-end crashes. 
          
City officials said they will review speed limit signs to see if more are needed.

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