Troopers continue investigating crash that killed toddler

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Troopers hope a piece of equipment inside a vehicle will help them better understand what happened before it crashed, killing a 13-month-old inside.

The crash happened Sunday around 9:30 a.m. on River Road in New Hanover County. Trooper B.R. Phillips said the single-vehicle crash killed James Andrews III, 13 months, and injured his mom and older sibling. Phillips said today they are planning to remove the black box from the SUV, hoping the data inside will help them in the investigation. They’ve also talked with witnesses to gather more information. Phillips said there is a chance, however, the box was damaged in the vehicle fire. He said they plan to release more information as it becomes available.

The mother, Melissa Henderson, 29, is at the burn center at UNC-Chapel Hill recovering. There’s no word on her condition or the condition of her older child, Jacquelyn Andrews, 2.

District Attorney Ben David said they were treating this as a criminal investigation, but he has not specified the potential charges that could be filed in the case.