9-month-old survives being thrown from SUV in crash

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Highway Patrol says it’s “a Christmas miracle in August” that a 9-month-old girl survived being thrown from an SUV while in a child safety seat.

The patrol told WLOS-TV in Asheville Kaytlyn Melton lost control of the SUV Wednesday when it hit a piece of rubber from a blown truck tire on Interstate 40 in Haywood County.

Troopers said the SUV hit a guardrail and rolled over, and that’s when the 9-month-old was ejected while in her child safety seat.

Trooper Rico Stephens said that the girl was in a safety seat probably saved her life.

Neither Melton nor her mother were seriously hurt, and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities said no charges will be filed.