BAY ST. LOUIS – (AP) A 10-year-old girl was killed when a sport utility vehicle carrying members of two Arkansas families flipped over on Interstate 10 in Mississippi.
The accident happened Thursday morning. Authorities identified the young victim as 10-year-old Taliyah McGhee of Donaldson, Ark.
Sgt. Johnny Poulos with the Mississippi Highway Patrol said the accident happened when the SUV driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over several times.
The child and her step-sister, 19-year-old Paige Matthews, had been sitting on what authorities called a make-shift seat in the rear of the vehicle. Matthews was seriously injured.
The driver told police he fell asleep at the wheel.
“There was a make-shift seat in the rear of the vehicle that was not factory equipment. It was placed in there, apparently, out of another vehicle. It was tied down, secured with a tow strap. Definitely a factor in this crash,” said Jeff Myers with the West Hancock Volunteer Fire Dept.
Poulos said there is no law against modifying a car, as was done in this case.
“The only charge is still a seatbelt violation. This situation could have been avoided,” Poulos said.
Also injured were the driver, Jody Morrison, 37, of Friendship, and passengers Nicholas Matthews, 36, and Katie Matthews, 3, all of Donaldson; and Zane Morrison, 14, and Braden Morrison, 10, both of Friendship.
The travelers were heading to Orange Beach, Ala., in a Toyota 4-Runner SUV when the accident occurred at the 12-mile marker on I-10, authorities said.
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