WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - A 4-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being hit by a car.
Police said the crash happened in the 4100 block of Morningside Drive in Winston-Salem just before 7:00 p.m. on Monday.
Police said 26-year-old Derrick Daniels was driving west on Morningside Drive when he ran into the child in the road. The child was riding a small toy out of her driveway and onto the roadway at the time of the crash, police said. Prior to the crash, police said the child was playing in her driveway.
Neighbors who live in the area say this tragedy is a perfect example of why the speed limit needs to be lowered and speed bumps should be put in the neighborhood.
Denise Melton is devastated about what happened.
Melton was driving home with her 8 year old daughter in the car when they came upon the accident scene.
"My daughter couldn't sleep last night," said Melton. "As I was going past the fire truck, I saw a toy up under their car and I said 'Oh my God I hope the child didn't get hit by a car.'"
Melton lives just a few doors down from the little girl.
"With my daughter being out here playing, I always try to be out here to watch her," said Melton. "I sit on my porch, I sit in my car and watch her and keep a close eye on her to make sure that she's safe. Not just getting hit by a car you just never know who might pull up and take your child."
John Lyman is a handyman. He drives up and down neighborhood streets in Winston-Salem all the time and he knows how dangerous it can be at times.
"I see it many times and I even had to slam on brakes every now and again because of the children. I mean, they'll surprise you. They are unpredictable," said Lyman. "The problem can only be addressed by public awareness. The police are in and out of these neighborhoods all the time, they set up radar and so forth and so on to soar people down and in less they show a presence in your neighborhood on a regular basis it doesn't do any good."
Lyman and Melton both agree that lowering the speed limit and putting in speed bumps might make the neighborhood safer for all the kids who live there.
"You can go in a lot of cul-de-sacs and you can see where they have put speed bombs and it does slow down the traffic. I really think that's what they need out here," said Melton.
The 4-year-old was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition.
As for the driver, Daniels is not facing any charges at the time of this report.
Police said neither speed nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors in the crash.
Officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit are investigating.
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