CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Paramedics say five people were taken to the hospital from a crash on a rural road in Catawba County south of Interstate 40 early Thursday morning.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty learned that three of the victims in the crash were children between the ages of 3 and 7.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Old Shelby Road near Oglesby Lane in Catawba County. First responders were called for a head-on crash, and people were trapped in both of the cars.
A 2023 Toyota RAV4 was traveling on Old Shelby Road and crossed the centerline before colliding head-on with a 2017 Toyota minivan, the Highway Patrol said.
The driver of the RAV4, Bobbie Sigmon, 44, of Hickory, was airlifted to Atrium Health CMC Main in Charlotte with serious injuries.
The driver of the Sienna, Lia Vue, 35, of Conover, was transported by EMS to UNC Health Blue Ridge with minor injuries, troopers said.
The three young children in the van were originally transported to UNC Health Blue Ridge with minor injuries. One child was then airlifted to Levine Children’s Hospital with more serious injuries.
“It sounded like a bomb going off. It’s scary,” said nearby resident Chris Gilbert.
He walked out his front door and saw the aftermath.
“This is not the first time this has happened,” Gilbert said. “There have been four or five wrecks in our yard before. This is a bad spot for people to wreck.”
Firefighters said they worked to free the family from the minivan by cutting off all the doors. They believe the crash would have been much worse if not for the mother properly restraining her children in safety seats.
“Having the seatbelts tight. Having the child restrained properly. All of these things benefited to the outcome of this crash,” said Chief James Brinkley, Long View Fire.
The initial investigation does not suspect speed or impairment to have contributed to the collision.
Charges are expected.
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