DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — A girl involved in a 2022 Lexington crash has died recently, according to her family.
Gracie Lankford, who was 3 at the time of the crash, died 15 months after a crash in Lexington. She was 5 years old at the time of her death, her father Mark Lankford said.
Lankford told WFMY News 2's Amber Lake, "I lost my baby".
Friends of the family said they are also heartbroken.
One family friend, Chasity DeAnna said, "Before all of this, Gracie was such an active little one! She was so full of energy and giggles. My kids loved her as well as Jayden."
Officers said Whitaker failed to stop at a stop sign held by a transportation worker in June 2022. Court documents revealed she then crashed into the back of a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) truck.
Four children, all under the age of 16, were in the car: two were Whitaker's.
An 8-year-old girl named Jayden died, and the injuries left Gracie paralyzed.
Gracie's father and sister, Katie Lankford, have been taking care of her this last year.
According to police, Whitaker admitted to taking 200 milligrams of methadone, had a slow and slurred speech, and was nodding off during questioning. They also found Xanax in the car.
After the crash, Whitaker was originally released under a $500 bond, then was back in custody under a $500,000 bond facing additional charges including felony death by vehicle and felony serious injury.
RELATED: 8-year-old dies days after NCDOT truck crash; court docs reveal woman charged was on methadone
Whitaker's daughter, Gracie, was died recently but It is unclear if her death was caused by the injuries from the crash.
Family friends said this news is unbearable.
"I'm angry, heartbroken, and weighed down with grief of the loss of those sweet innocent babies losing their life," said DeAnna.
According to the North Carolina Department of Safety, Amber Whitaker is serving a 19-year conviction.
The court dismissed the Felony Death by Motor Vehicle charge but found Whitaker guilty of Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle and Second-Degree Murder.
There are no pending charges against her at this time, according to the clerk of the court's office.
This investigation is ongoing.
Funeral arrangements are currently underway for Gracie.
Her sister, Katie Lankford said she wants to have a Paw Patrol themed service. She is asking those who attend to not wear black clothing, but instead wear blue or Paw Patrol themed outfits in honor of Gracie.
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