A Roanoke Rapids woman who died in a car crash Saturday night was not wearing her seat belt properly, the state Highway Patrol said this morning. The woman’s 1-year-old child was also improperly restrained in her child seat and is in serious condition but expected to be OK, Sergeant E.S. Schaberg said. A 14-year-old passenger in the 1991 Honda was also seriously injured.

The wreck occurred shortly after 8:39 p.m. on US 158 near the Jackson By-pass Road.

Schaberg said Felicia Lachelle Harris, 22, who died in the crash, was traveling west on the highway when she gradually ran off the roadway. As she tried to bring the vehicle back onto the road she lost control of the vehicle and the car got sideways and went into the opposing lane.

Pamela Hayes was driving a Nissan Titan in the opposite lane and went off the road to avoid a collision. However, Harris’ vehicle still struck a portion of the truck and the Honda went into a spin, ejecting Harris.

Hayes and her husband, along with their two children, were sore but OK.

Schaberg said investigation has thus far revealed Harris, who was driving a Honda where the shoulder belt engages when the door is closed, did not have her lap belt on. Another passenger in the vehicle, was properly restrained.

Schaberg said the airbags in the vehicle Hayes was driving deployed properly, causing only soreness.

The wreck remains under investigation.