Charlotte family receives outpour of donations after toddler killed in wreck, newborn in ICU

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A Charlotte family is forever changed after an accident near Wilmington killed their young son and forced his pregnant mother to undergo an emergency C-Section to save their unborn child.

Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol told WECT that the crash happened around noon on Saturday in Pender County along Highway 17. Investigators say a commercial box truck was approaching, stopped traffic, and failed to stop in time, resulting in a chain-reaction crash.

Gentry Eddings is a worship leader at Forest Hill Church in south Charlotte. A GoFundMe website on the church's Facebook page says Gentry, his wife Hadley, and their 2-year-old son, Dobbs, were in a vehicle hit by the box truck. Dobbs passed away and Hadley, who was eight months pregnant, had to have a C-Section.

Hearts and wallets continue to open as a means of offering this Charlotte family financial support during a time of crisis.

The numbers from the go fund me website helping the Eddings family soared to $3,500 just after four on Sunday to a solid total of five figures. By Monday morning the funding reached $20,000.

With deep emotion, Forest Hill Pastor David Chadwick shared the details from the spot Gentry Eddings normally occupies on most Sunday's at the congregation's Ballantyne Campus.

"They were at a stop light and an 18 wheeler rear ended them," Chadwick told church members. "Sadly, Dobbs the two year old little boy was killed, and by the time they were able to get him out of the smashed up car, he was gone to be with Jesus."

Chadwick says Dobb's parents Gentry and Hadley were both injured and rushed to the hospital.

She was eight months pregnant, and moments after leaving this scene her new son Reed was born via Caesarian section.

From the pulpit Chadwick said the newborn is showing signs of life.

"I understand this morning, he took the finger of Gentry's father which is a great sign. They've given him a blood transfusion. They've taken him off the respirator and he's breathed on his own. His heart seems to be working very well."

Chadwick adds more signs of improvement, "He is in intensive care. It is touch and go, There have been some positive signs." Chadwick says the baby's lungs seem to be working and breathing well, "but he's not out of the woods by any means."

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