Rocky Mount — Carmen Poland, 24, and her little sister Lily Davis, 6, died Thursday afternoon in a violent crash that shattered a family and shook their community.
It was around 2:00 p.m. on Sunset Avenue near Church View Drive when a Chrysler 200 sedan and a Ford Transit van collided. According to police, the impact was severe and immediate. Carmen and Lily were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their mother, 48‑year‑old Elizabeth Battle, was rushed to a trauma center in Greenville. She remains in serious condition, her body battered by broken bones and internal injuries that will take months to heal.
Two men in the Ford van, ages 39 and 45, suffered minor injuries and were treated and released. First responders said the scene was chaotic, with neighbors rushing to help before emergency crews arrived.
Friends and strangers alike have been left reeling by the sudden loss. Carmen was known for her laughter and her commitment to her family. Lily was described as a bright, curious child who loved to play and make others smile.
A fundraiser started by family friends says the road ahead will be long and expensive. Funeral costs for Carmen and Lily and medical bills for their mother are mounting. The community has begun to rally, sharing memories and offering support where they can.
As the family mourns two lives taken too soon, Rocky Mount residents are left asking why and hoping that lessons from this tragedy might prevent the next.
