Daycare van crashes in Leland, children sent to New Hanover Regional

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A 15-passenger van carrying children from Kids World Learning Center in Southport crashed this morning on Hwy 74 in Leland.

According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, it happened around 9:40 at the Hwy 140 off ramp. That’s not far from the Northwest District Park.

Trooper Adams with the NC Highway Patrol says Charles Carter, 56, from Princeton, did not stop for a red light and hit the van as it was turning left on 74 from 140.

Eight children, from Kindergarten to 2nd grade, were on board at the time. EMS took them to New Hanover Regional with minor injuries. The driver of the daycare van and Carter were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Trooper Adams says the van was on its way to Kids World Learning Center in Leland.

Carter was ticketed for failure to stop for a red light.

It took about an hour for emergency responders to clear the scene. Adams says all the children were wearing seatbelts and alcohol was not involved.

Trooper Adams said most of the children’s parents had arrived at the hospital while he was there.