A one-vehicle accident earlier this week that killed a three-year-old boy and injured his mother and siblings is still under investigation, but the names of those involved have now been released.
The accident happened on Autry Mill Road near U.S. 13 Tuesday night.
Speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident, but no final report has been issued by the N.C. Highway Patrol, whose troopers are investigating the incident.
Walker Lambert, 3, the son of the driver was killed, and his mother, Brittiney Simmons, 33, of Autryville, and his siblings, ages 13 and 5, are being treated for their injuries at local hospitals.
Highway Patrol reports noted that all three children were unrestrained, but Simmons did have her seatbelt fastened.
According to a report from Trooper Millen, the accident happened around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14, when Simmons, driving a 2004 Ford Expedition north on Autry Mill Road, ran off the roadway onto the right shoulder, striking a ditch and a tree.
Following the impact, Millen noted in his report, the vehicle overturned several times, finally coming to rest upright and facing south in a residential yard.
Simmons was transported to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. Three juvenile passengers were ejected from the vehicle, including the three-year-old.
One of the juvenile passengers was transported to Wake Med while the other was flown to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
The trooper’s report noted that it was not known at this time whether impairment played a role in the accident.
Simmons was the only restrained occupant in the vehicle.