Officials: 2 killed, 2 injured in east Charlotte crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two families are mourning young women, who were killed in a tragic three-car accident in east Charlotte.

Two other passengers in the Sunday morning crash have serious injuries, including a young mother.

Two other people involved in the accident are still in the hospital at Carolinas Medical Center – Main.

On Sunday night, Eyewitness News spoke with friends and family of those who died.

"I am scared for my life you know, because she needs a mom and a dad," said Bennie Shaw.

Shaw said his daughter's mother, Perla Kapinga, was one of four passengers packed into a car when it hit an SUV head-on. Her friends, 18-year-old Deborah Barkashika and 20-year-old Ashley Gilliam both died from their injuries.

"Shocked. Just shocked. I did not expect it to happen to my baby mama and my close friends," said Shaw.

Police said the accident happened early Sunday morning after the car, a Chevy Malibu driven by Demarus Reid, struck a van, then crossed the double yellow line on Eastway Drive right into oncoming traffic.

"I just heard a car hit another car, and then flipped," said Shaw.

Police said the Malibu rolled on its roof and all four passengers were thrown from the car. Jasmine Darrisaw has been friends with Bakashika for more than seven years and told Channel 9 she was a friend of the family.

"It's like I just saw her you know? To hear this is very sad," said Shaw.

He said he is hopeful Kapinga will survive so she can help raise their daughter.

On Sunday night, he is taking her to the hospital to try and see her mother.

WSOC