Gaston County, N.C : Mom of 5 killed after being struck by car on Myrtle School Road on the west side of Gastonia on Sunday afternoon, May 10, 2015

Police said a mother of five was killed on Mother's Day after being struck by a vehicle while walking down a road in Gastonia.

Police, fire and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene at West 5th Street and South Myrtle School Road around 2:30 p.m.

Family members told reporter Brittney Johnson the victim, Crystal McDaniel, was hit by a car. She was a married mother of five.

"She was a good mama, you couldn't ask for a better mama," Myra Allen, the victim’s aunt, said.

That's the way relatives will remember McDaniel.

"It's sad, it's so sad, you never know when your life is going to be snuffed out," Allen added.

Police said that 31-year-old McDaniel was walking with her daughter off the roadway when she was hit by a Toyota Corolla driven by 22-year-old Jamie Clayton Jr.

Investigators said Clayton drove off the right side of the road, striking McDaniel and killing her before crashing into a natural gas line.

Police said McDaniel’s daughter was not hurt.

McDaniel's aunt and sisters walked to the scene and listened as witnesses described the car careening off the road Sunday afternoon.

"I heard a noise," Jose Cruz said. A witness sent Channel 9 pictures of the aftermath showing a red car in his yard after it crashed into his house.

"One of them saw something flying in the air," Cruz said, describing the scene.

Lee Burgin showed Channel 9 how the car came through his yard and damaged the gas meter.

"House can be fixed, people can't be," Burgin said.

Cruz explained how he did CPR, trying to save McDaniel's life.

"I tried talking to her, there was no sounds, she was motionless," Cruz said.

He told his wife tried to comfort McDaniel's 12-year-old daughter, walking right beside her mother when she was hit.

"She was shaking, it was sad," Cruz said.

McDaniel's aunt says the victim's oldest daughter had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit but witnessed her mother losing her life on a day, meant to honor a mother's love.

Allen said, "Her children was her life."

Clayton was treated by paramedics and transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Investigators told Channel 9 Monday morning that based on the preliminary investigation, Clayton may have had a medical emergency causing him to lose control prior to striking McDaniel.

No charges have been filed but once the investigation is complete the case will be presented to the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office.


Source :
No charges filed after mother of 5 struck, killed by car on Mother’s Day