A woman whose SUV crash during a police chase fatally injured her 7-year-old daughter had led deputies to believe that she was the child’s aunt, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said when they tried to pull over 26-year-old Errika Dominique Shelton for a traffic violation on Interstate 85, she led them on a pursuit at speeds of more than 100 mph. They said during the chase, the 7-year-old threw marijuana from the vehicle that they later recovered. Deputies said Shelton over-corrected and flipped the SUV near Gossett and Battleground roads. Her daughter, Queniya Tykia Shelton, was thrown from the vehicle. Queniya died from her injuries Tuesday night.
Deputies said that immediately after the wreck, Errika Shelton’s family and friends told them that she was the child’s aunt, and they were given an incorrect name of the child.
On Tuesday, Coroner Rusty Clevenger said in a release that because of the hospital adhering to privacy policies and a “lack of cooperation from the child’s mother,” the wrong name and relationship had been reported.
Clevenger said it has since been determined that Shelton is Queniya’s biological mother.
Shelton remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Charges are pending against her once she is released.
SCSO: Wreck kills child; Mom lied to deputies - Local News - Greenville, SC - NBCNews.com