Franklin, Va. - Four deadly crashes in four cities. All of them happened within hours of each other.
In Franklin, State Police say a 12-year-old girl was killed in a car crash on Saturday.
Troopers say a total of seven people were in that car, including five children ages 5 to 12 years old.
And, they say, that crash was caused by a mix of speed and alcohol.
State Police say a 12-year-old girl died in a car wreck Saturday morning; troopers say she was one of five children in the 2007 Chevy Impala, and her father, 45-year-old Tony Sledge, was behind the wheel.
They say he was speeding along Route 258 in Franklin when he lost control, flipping the car several times.
They also say alcohol played a role.
While troopers say Sledge attempted to unsafely change lanes right before losing control, Sledge's sister had a slightly different story.
She says Sledge's girlfriend, who was also in the car, explained that they changed lanes to pass another car. But it didn't exactly work out.
"The car speeded up and wouldn't let him back in. In the meantime, a truck was coming and I guess he just panicked and lost control."
Right now, Jones says her brother is fighting for his life in the hospital.
And, as she and her family mourn the loss of her young niece, she says she just hopes that he pulls through.
"Just praying, hope everything goes ok."
State Police are still investigating. They say charges are pending while the commonwealth's attorney reviews the case.
