news-record.com

BROWNS SUMMIT — A passenger was killed and an infant was injured this morning after a car left the road and wound up in a shallow creek.

The Highway Patrol identified the victim as 55-year-old Janice Tillman.

The driver, 36-year-old Tammy Tillman, and her 6-month-old daughter suffered serious injuries that troopers do not believe are life-threatening. Tammy Tillman is Janice Tillman's daughter. All three live in Browns Summit.

According to the Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at about 9:17 a.m. Thursday when Tammy Tillman lost control of her vehicle while going around a curve in the 7100 block of Browns Summit Road.

The southbound Buick Regal went off the road to the right and into the creek, which is about 10 feet below the road surface. The car stayed upright and hit the opposite bank. The creek runs between Marshwood Drive and Autumn Forest Drive.

Tammy Tillman and her daughter are being treated at Moses Cone Hospital. Janice Tillman died at the scene.

Trooper Chris Knox said Tammy Tillman later told an investigating officer that she swerved to avoid a small animal in the road.

Both women wore seat belts when the wreck occurred. The infant was in a child seat behind the driver, but the seat was not properly installed, Knox said.

Investigators do not believe that excessive speed or alcohol played a role in the crash. Charges against Tammy Tillman are pending, Knox said.