04:11 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 5, 2006

By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

LEWISVILLE — A 24-year-old Dallas mother and 17-year-old unlicensed driver could face charges stemming from an early Wednesday morning accident in Lewisville that killed the woman’s 11-month-old daughter.

Maya Hipolito died at the scene of the accident in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35E just north of the FM 3040 bridge at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. Maya, her 7-year-old brother Carlos Parra and mother Nancy Salinas were ejected from the family’s Ford Explorer after the SUV collided with another vehicle, struck a concrete barrier and rolled over, police said.

Assistant Police Chief Russ Kerbow said investigators believe Maya was sitting in a child’s car seat but was not fastened into the device, which was also not buckled in to the back seat.

“It’s really a double tragedy when you think of it that way,” Chief Kerbow said. “It really could have saved the child’s life if she had been fastened in properly.”

Carlos was flown by helicopter to Children’s Medical Center Dallas where he was in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, police said. Ms. Salinas was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital and was treated and released.

Carlos and Ms. Salinas were also not restrained, police said.

Ms. Salinas could not be reached for comment Monday.

The 17-year-old unlicensed driver of the other vehicle, an Isuzu Rodeo, fled the scene along with one of three teen-age passengers after that vehicle flipped and landed on its roof. The other two passengers in the Rodeo were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital from the scene. Their conditions were unclear Wednesday afternoon. Police did not release the names of anyone in the Rodeo.

One of the people who fled was later returned to the scene by one of their parents. Chief Kerbow said that person had a head injury and was taken to an area hospital after they returned to the scene. A parent of the other teen who fled called police after that teen was taken to an area hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the wreck.

Chief Kerbow said police had talked to everyone in the Rodeo by Wednesday afternoon and believe they know who was driving that vehicle.

Investigators believe the Rodeo either tried to pass the Explorer and clipped it or that both vehicles struck each other as the drivers attempted to enter the center lane from outside lanes of traffic at the same time.

“Both scenarios could have caused the ultimate outcome,” Chief Kerbow said.

Police initially believed the Rodeo rear-ended the Explorer, but ruled that out Wednesday. Chief Kerbow said it’s unclear whether any other factors contributed to the crash.

“We’re not ruling out any options,” he said.

Officers were investigating Wednesday to decide who might face possible criminal charges in the wreck.

In Texas, drivers are required to wear safety belts. Children younger than 2 are required to be in a child safety seat and any passengers younger than 18 are required to wear a safety belt.

Chief Kerbow said it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure passengers are legally secured. He said officers are trained to show people how to properly secure young children and toddlers in vehicles and that people who cannot afford child safety seats should contact the department, which can help provide one.

E-mail bformby@dallasnews.com