Woman accused of causing crash that killed 6-year-old son, friend, to face judge

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A mother accused of causing a crash that killed her own 6-year-old son as well as her friend will face a judge Friday.

Investigators said 33-year-old Crystal Day grabbed the steering wheel of the car Vanessa Adams was driving, causing it to crash and overturn on Independence Boulevard Monday night.

Officers responded to the crash scene around 9 p.m. on Independence Boulevard at Krefeld Drive near Matthews, and found a Toyota Solara overturned in the road.

Investigators said the Solara was traveling westbound when it suddenly struck a guardrail and flipped.

Police told Channel 9 that just prior to the crash, the driver, 33-year-old Adams and the front seat passenger, Day, were arguing when Day apparently grabbed the steering wheel, causing the car to veer to the right and hit the guardrail and overturn.

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When paramedics arrived they pronounced Adams dead at the scene, as well as Day’s 6-year-old son, Gianni Espinoza.

Day was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center with serious injuries.

Police said they believe the car was speeding when the crash happened and that both Day and Adams were not wearing seat belts.

Investigators also said the boy was not properly restrained in a child seat.

It is not known if alcohol played a role in the crash.

Detectives have charged Day with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of child neglect. After her release from the hospital she will be taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Independence was closed for nearly four hours while police investigated.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit at 704-336-2677.

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