A girl whose car was struck by a suspected drunken driver on Christmas Day in Rocky Mount died Wednesday from her injuries, authorities said.

Shantae Smith, 16, of Hobgood was riding in a car about 11 a.m. Monday on North Church Street when a big rig without a trailer slammed into the passenger side of the vehicle, police said.

Police charge that the truck driver – Winfourd Whitaker, 57, of Robersonville – ran a red light and was drunk at the time of the accident. Police originally identified him to the media as Whitaker Winfourd.

Whitaker was charged with a red light violation and driving while impaired, and his bond was set at $20,000.

Investigators said that his blood alcohol content was measured at 0.16. The legal limit for commercial truck drivers in North Carolina is 0.04.

"The officer (investigating the accident) is going to be talking to the District Attorney to look into (adding) the charge of felony death by motor vehicle," Rocky Mount police Sgt. Steve Brower said Wednesday.

The driver of the car – 27-year-old Sonya Lentria Smith of Hobgood – was treated for injuries at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Shantae Smith also was taken to Pitt Memorial, where she died Wednesday of internal injuries, police said.

Whitaker, who was on his way to see his daughter for Christmas, wasn't hurt in the wreck, police said.

Death by motor vehicle is a Class G felony and carries a possible eight- to 16-month prison sentence for first-time offenders if convicted. Whitaker doesn't have a past criminal record.

This was one of more than three dozen Christmas Day accidents in the Twin Counties, including four linked to suspected drunken drivers.