Child In Critical Condition Following Raleigh Wreck

The child, not yet 6 years old, was the only one of the eight in critical condition.

The driver of one of the vehicles involved, 24-year-old Anabel Guadalupe Tovar Rodriguez, from Rose Hill, was in good condition. A passenger in the vehicle, 33-year-old Maria Barron-Hernandez, of Clayton, was in serious condition.

The accident happened around noon Saturday on Rock Quarry Road, just north of the Beltline, in front of Watson's Flea Market. Five young children were riding in a white Toyota with two adults when, according to police, the car pulled in front of a van.

"I heard tires sliding," witness Ronald Smith said. "I heard an impact, and I could see the stoplights swaying back and forth."

Witnesses said that, after slamming into the car, the van hit the light pole.

An officer at the scene said the van was believed to be going the posted speed limit of 45 mph.

The seven people in the car took the brunt of the impact. Emergency crews had to cut off the top to get inside.

Police said all five children were less than 6 years old, and there were only two child safety seats in the car.

After their initial investigation, police said the driver of the Toyota, Rodriguez, failed to yield to the van.

That was not the only accident on Rock Quarry Road Saturday. The second crash involved a motorcycle on eastbound Interstate 40 at the Rock Quarry exit ramp.

Police told WRAL there were minor injuries in that wreck but did not release any other details.