Driver arrested after crash injures 3 children at lemonade stand in Burke County
The accident happened around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, on Conley Road near Arthur Mull Road, just south of Morganton. According to the NC State Highway Patrol, Haley Erin McCorkle, of Hickory, was trying to turn left out of a driveway in a Chevrolet HHR when she pulled into the path of an oncoming Nissan Altima.
The impact pushed the Nissan off the road and into a front yard, right where three girls, ages 7, 8, and 9, had set up a lemonade stand for the afternoon. All three were critically injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. Two were airlifted; the third was taken by ambulance.
'I was scared': Family of Morganton girl hit by car, along with two others, recounts the tragic moment
None of the drivers involved were hurt in the crash. McCorkle is now facing charges for failure to yield the right of way, causing serious bodily injury. Troopers said there's no indication that speed or impairment played a role in the crash.
Family members of the injured girls said the crash happened in an instant.
'I was right there, and it just happened so fast,' said Elizabeth, the sister of one of the girls. 'I just ran and got my mom.'
The girls' parents described the scene as terrifying and heartbreaking. One father said he was traumatized after seeing what happened to the children.
Video: Tensions rise, North Carolina protests grow against ICE activity
'Just very traumatized to see something like that. Especially the child[ren], yeah, seeing pieces everywhere,' he said.
Despite the pain, the families said they're grateful it wasn't even worse.
'Be more careful, the more mindful that there's kids out of school for the summer and the little things like this, and just try to pay more attention,' said the mother of one of the young girls. 'I can't blame anyone for the accident. Accidents happen. But I was upset about it. I've just had to pray about it.'
The road was closed for about two hours while troopers investigated.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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