3-year-old boy killed, mother and 2 other siblings hurt in Sampson County crash

A 3-year-old boy is dead and three of his family members were seriously injured in a crash Tuesday night in Sampson County.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a single-car crash around 6:34 p.m. on Autry Mill Road near U.S. Highway 13.

According to the Highway Patrol's preliminary investigation, a 2004 Ford Expedition was traveling north on Autry Mill Road when it ran off the road.

The driver, 33-year-old Brittiney Simmons, then overcorrected, reentered the roadway and then ran off the left shoulder before hitting a ditch and a tree. Troopers said the SUV flipped several times before coming to a stop in a yard.

Three juveniles, including 3-year-old Walker Lambert, were ejected from the SUV. The 3-year-old was Simmons' son. He died at the scene, while the two juveniles were taken to local hospitals. SHP said the two juveniles, a 13-year-old and 5-year-old, are also Simmons' children.

Simmons was also taken to the hospital.

Troopers believe she was the only person wearing a seatbelt in the car and that speed was a contributing factor.

Troopers said the collision is still under investigation.