BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – A 24-year-old woman has been charged after a crash Tuesday afternoon sent a vehicle careening off the road into three young girls operating a lemonade stand.
The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. south of Morganton. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Haley Erin McCorkle, of Hickory, was exiting a driveway and failed to yield to an oncoming Nissan Altima. The collision forced the Nissan off the road and into a front yard, where the girls—ages 7, 8, and 9—were selling lemonade.
All three children sustained critical injuries. Two were airlifted to nearby hospitals, while the third was transported by ambulance. None of the drivers were injured. Troopers said there was no indication of speeding or impairment.
McCorkle is charged with failure to yield the right of way resulting in serious bodily injury.
Family members described the crash as sudden and devastating. “It just happened so fast,” said Elizabeth, the sister of one of the girls. Parents expressed trauma and heartbreak, but also gratitude that the outcome wasn’t worse.
“Accidents happen,” said one mother. “But I just had to pray about it.”
The road was closed for two hours as officials investigated the scene.
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