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Vigil held for 13-month-old killed in crash on Christmas

More than 200 people attended a candlelight memorial was held Monday in memory of 13-month-old Alexis Hooper who was killed in a crash on Christmas Day.

Those who knew her and know her family are gathered to pray.

Some are wearing pink shirts with "Lexi" written on them.

That is what the young girl was called.

WADESBORO, N.C. — Lexi's cousin Helen Maloney said the family is heartbroken

"Accidents happen everyday but when it touches home it really gets to you," Maloney said.

Police release details released in crash

Wadesboro police said both drivers in a crash on Christmas Day that killed a 13-month-old baby tested negative of any impairing substance, according to a news release from the Wadesboro Police Department.

Speed and fatigue were not factors, and the baby was properly restrained, according to investigators.

Investigators met with the District Attorney's Office and are awaiting a decision as to whether or not any charges will be filed against any drivers involved in the crash.

Two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 74 near Morven Freight Line Road late that Wednesday afternoon.

Police said when they arrived to the scene, a Volkswagen Jetta and a Dodge Intrepid were both on fire.

After extinguishing the blaze, rescue crews pulled Saundra Davis, wife of the driver of the Dodge, from the car and she was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center Main.

Her husband, Clay Davis, was transported to Anson Community Hospital where he was later released. The couple were visiting family in Anson County and are from Richfield in Stanly County.

The Hooper family was in the Volkswagen.

Alexander Hooper, who was operating the vehicle, his wife Kelsey Hooper, his little brother Caleb Hooper and his 13-month-old daughter were returning home to Gaston County from a family get-together for the holidays in Hamlet.
Their car gradually drifted over into oncoming traffic in the eastbound travel lanes of U.S. 74, according to the news release.

The Davis' vehicle struck head-on with the Hooper family's vehicle.

Kelsey Hooper was in the front-passenger seat of the Volkswagen and was able to leave the car. Good Samaritans who stopped to assist the two families helped her to the side of the road.

The bystanders helped pull the rest of the Hooper family and Clay Davis from the vehicles before first responders arrived.
Thirteen-month-old Alexis Hooper was taken to CMC Main where she died, the news release stated.

Alexander Hooper, Caleb Hooper and Kelsey Hooper were transported to Anson Community Hospital, and later transferred to CMC Main.

"After a careful examination of the evidence, the investigative team has been able to definitively determine that no type of alcohol, narcotic or pharmaceutical impairment was involved in this collision. Both drivers of each vehicle all tested negative for any type of impairing substance," the news release stated.

Both vehicles were traveling at or around the posted speed limits.

"This tragedy is one felt by all of us. It's a terrible thing to lose a family member, especially on a day that is centered around being together with family," said Chief Thedis Spencer of the Wadesboro Police Department. "I want to let the families of all of those involved know that the officers of the Wadesboro Police Department send out our condolences and prayers to you. I also want to thank all of the good Samaritans who stopped to help, as well as all of the officers and first responders who, when faced with a devastating tragedy, worked professionally and diligently to help these two families in their time of need."

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