LANDIS, N.C. -- A Rowan County family is trying to cope with the loss of their daughter and unborn granddaughter.

Leeanna Newman, 20, died overnight at Carolinas Medical Center after she was involved in a car accident Tuesday night. Leeanna’s family said she would have been 21-years-old next month. They also confirmed that she was eight months pregnant with a little girl, who also did not survive the crash.

Newman also leaves behind a husband, Bradley Newman. After several years of dating, the two were married last year and they had just moved to Rowan County from Michigan around a month ago. They have a young daughter, Mallory, 1, who was in the car with Leanna during that crash. She walked away from the accident unharmed.

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Leeanna Newman

“If you could see the car, you’d think no one could have come out of it. She is absolutely fine. She knows something is wrong but doesn’t understand what is going on,” said Ron Easley, Leanna’s stepfather.

Landis Police said Rigo Martinez was driving erratically Tuesday and a Kannapolis police officer was trying to catch up with him when he crossed the center line on North Main Street in Landis, hitting Newman head on. Witnesses to the crash said this was a high-speed police chase but police deny that saying they were simply trying to pull him over for some traffic violations.

“Right now we are trying to make arrangements but I also want some answers. I want to know what happened and if he was being chased. I want explanations and answers,” said Easley early Wednesday morning. 

Family members said Leanna was due at the beginning of May and she had just sent out invitations for a baby shower.

Martinez is not expected to be released from the hospital on today, but he could face charges by the end of the week. Police said he was driving with a Mexican license but did not have a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Investigators are also waiting on toxicology reports to see if alcohol was involved.

Kannapolis police confirm Martinez was involved in two hit and runs moments before the fatal accident. They said there was only about 1.5 miles between the first hit and run and the second. There was no property damage and no one else was hurt.

Police said Martinez will not be released from the hospital Wednesday. They anticipate taking him to the magistrate by the end of the week and he will be charged at that time.

We have two WCNC crews following this story today and will have the very latest beginning at 4:30 this evening.