IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Troopers in Iredell County said wet roads were to blame for a crash Thursday morning that killed a woman who was driving her daughter to school.
According to Iredell County Communications, the crash happened just after 8:15 a.m. on Jennings Road, near North Iredell Middle School.
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Troopers told Channel 9 reporter Gina Esposito that two cars collided, and that a woman was killed in the wreck. Two other people had to be cut out of the vehicles.
According to the Highway Patrol, 38-year-old Brandy Eckliff, of Statesville, was driving her 12-year-old daughter to North Iredell Middle School, heading north on Jennings Road when her Toyota Corolla hydroplaned at the intersection of Olin Road and collided with a Kia.
Eckliff was pronounced dead at the scene.
Channel 9’s partners at The Record & Landmark reported that a deputy held Eckliff's daughter’s hand and comforted her while crews worked to cut her from the car.
Authorities said the girl was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem in critical condition while the person in the other vehicle was taken to Memorial Hospital in Statesville with serious injuries.
"This little girl and her mom were on a trip to school and her mom, I know, was on her way to work, and she didn't get there,” a witness, who did not want to be identified, said.
Heavy rain was falling at the time of the wreck and troopers said they believe Eckliff's vehicle hydroplaned on the wet road.
"Everything is wet," said truck driver Randy Sizemore. "There's a curve up there. Maybe that had something to do with it."
Jennings Road was closed in both directions at Olin Road while troopers investigated. It reopened around 12:45 p.m.
Impairment was not suspected as a factor, authorities said. Everyone was wearing seatbelts, but troopers said Eckliff's seatbelt may not have been used properly. They did not elaborate.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.