Relatives said the child would have turned 2 on April 4
NEED TO KNOW
- A 1-year-old child died after a crash involving a 14-year-old driver in Hampton, Va., on March 23
- The driver, who was seriously injured, faces charges including DUI and driving without a license
- Family members expressed grief over the loss and urged teens to act responsibly
A 1-year-old child has died following a crash involving an underage driver in Hampton, Va., authorities said.
The crash occurred around 2:04 a.m., local time on March 23 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64, according to The Virginia Pilot. Police said a silver sedan driven by a 14-year-old girl veered off the right side of the road, striking a guardrail, before crossing over and hitting a lane barrier on the left side of the interstate.
A 1-year-old was inside the vehicle and not properly restrained, authorities said, per the outlet. The child died on Thursday, March 26, from injuries sustained in the crash.
The 14-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. She was also not wearing a seatbelt, according to WAVY, citing police.
Police said the driver is facing charges that include driving under the influence, driving without a license and a child restraint violation. Additional charges may be pending, though officials have not released further details.
Relatives say the child would have turned 2 on April 4, per WTKR News 3.
For the family, the loss has been devastating. “I’ve been in his life since day one. This is the hardest,” the baby's grandmother told the outlet.
She noted that her 17-year-old son is the child's father. While she expressed anger over what happened, she said she could not bring herself to hate the child’s mother, whom she identified as the 14-year-old driver.
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“The Lord, my spirit, won’t let me. My spirit won’t let me,” she said.
Others close to the family also spoke out in the wake of the crash. The baby's godfather, urged young people to reflect on their actions.
“Be more responsible,” he told the outlet. “Stop trying to outgrow your age and just be your age. There’s nothing wrong with being a teenager. Stop thinking that you’re grown.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Virginia State Police for additional information.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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