6-year-old dies after head-on crash in south Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — A six-year-old has died the day after a head-on crash that happened Tuesday in south Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Four others were hurt in the two-vehicle collision.

According to the police, around 5:46 p.m. Tuesday, officers were called to a car crash on East Arrowood Road near Kings Ridge Drive. The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC were also called to the scene.

Responding officers found two badly damaged vehicles: a 2004 Toyota Corolla and a 2011 Volkswagen Routan.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Toyota were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officials say a 6-year-old, who was sitting in the backseat of the Toyota, was also taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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MEDIC took the driver of the Volkswagen van and the passenger, his nine-year-old son, to the hospital with minor injuries.

CMPD detectives say the 15-year-old driver of the Toyota was heading east on East Arrowood Road and was speeding, then crossed lanes into oncoming traffic hitting the Volkswagen, driven by 61-year-old Hector Rivero, head-on.

On Wednesday, just before 6 p.m., the six-year-old who was in the back of the Toyota, Ariela Lopez, died from her injuries at the hospital.

Police say speeding and loss of control contributed to the crash.

The driver of the Volkswagen van, who didn’t want to be identified, said he and his son are healing.

“It was a bad impact. Terrible, terrible impact,” the man told Channel 9.

He talked about what happened that day.

“I saw one car coming down, speeding,” he said. “I didn’t know who it was. I couldn’t see who it was from there. So I was going 35 mph and she was probably going 50 or 60 mph.”

He said he realizes the outcome could have been different for his family.

“I pray every day because my son was with me,” he said.

Channel 9 asked CMPD if the 15-year-old was driving with a permit or if they could be charged with driving without a license.

We also asked if they could face charges for the crash.

A spokesperson said it’s an ongoing investigation, so, they can’t share anymore details.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

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