CHARLOTTE — Two women were killed after midnight Sunday morning when a driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 277 collided with their vehicle.
The victims, Diamond Dawson and My’Angel Robinson, were driving on the inner loop of the highway when the crash occurred.
Kati Covarrubias-Barron is facing multiple charges in connection with the fatal collision, including second-degree murder.
Two other passengers in the vehicle were injured during the crash. According to court documents, Covarrubias-Barron was driving the wrong way without headlights after admitting to drinking five mixed drinks prior to the collision. She is currently held in jail under no bond.
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Dawson’s mother, Inga Gilmore, had been with both women hours earlier celebrating her daughter’s birthday.
Gilmore said she later received an automated crash alert on her phone. The two families often spent time together on trips and celebrated Mother’s Day together.
Gilmore said the two women shared a bond like sisters. “Angel and Diamond are sisters,” Gilmore said. “We are family. All of us.”
She added that both women were deeply cared for by those around them. “They were really, really good girls,” Gilmore said. “Really good girls, both of them.”
Dawson graduated from school at age 17, served in the military, and was the mother of a 4-year-old daughter named Ayomi. At the time of the crash, she was working toward a pilot’s license and a master’s degree.
“A lot of young ladies looked up to Diamond,” Gilmore said. “Diamond gave a lot of people inspiration to just live and travel and just be the best that you could be.”
Robinson was preparing to start a new job at the time of her death. Gilmore remembered Robinson’s presence and character.
“Angel was just that,” Gilmore said. “An angel. Diamond was a diamond, and Angel was an Angel. Angel is going to be missed.”
Gilmore emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the crash must lead to accountability regarding impaired driving.
“It’s not just about Diamond and Angel,” Gilmore said. “It’s about a lot of people who lost people to drinking and driving. And a slap on the wrist is not going to let people hear what really needs to be done.”