Driver charged after causing Southern Pines crash that injured toddler

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Sanford woman has been arrested after deputies say she fled a traffic stop and crashed into multiple vehicles, injuring several people -- including a 1-year-old child -- along U.S. 1 on Saturday.

Authorities say a Moore County sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a driver around 11:45 a.m. near U.S. 1 and Magnolia Road in Aberdeen. Instead, the driver sped away.

About a mile away, near U.S. 1 and Saunders Boulevard in Southern Pines, investigators say the driver slammed into several vehicles.

The Sandhills Sentinel shared photos of the crash with ABC11.

Four people were taken to the hospital -- three by ambulance to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and one by helicopter to a trauma center.

One of the most seriously injured was a passenger in the Chevrolet Impala. She was trapped in the wreckage and had to be freed by firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools before being airlifted.

Authorities say an Acura SUV carrying a mother and her 1-year-old child was also hit. Both were taken to the hospital with injuries. The driver of a third vehicle, a pickup truck, declined treatment.

According to Moore County Detention Center records, 32-year-old Kendra Snipes of Sanford was arrested Saturday afternoon in connection with the crash.

She faces multiple charges, including felony fleeing to elude arrest, possession of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving with wanton disregard, driving while license revoked, providing fictitious information to an officer, and a window tint violation.

Snipes is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on June 3.

Multiple agencies responded, including Southern Pines Fire & Rescue, Moore County EMS, Southern Pines Police, Aberdeen Police, and the Moore County Sheriff's Office. The investigation is ongoing.