Six people received major injuries in two collisions at the Airport Way and Lathrop Road intersection within 14 hours of each — one around 9 p.m. Sunday night and the other before 11 a.m. Monday.

A 2-year-old child was airlifted to Childrens Hospital in Oakland after his parents were involved in a head-on collision Sunday night, Manteca Police said. Officers said a 2013 Ford Focus collided with a 2005 Honda Accord that overturned. Parents believed to be in their early 30s were reportedly trapped in their Focus after it overturned and suffered major injuries. They had to be extricated with the Jaws of Life. 

The Ford Focus was eastbound on Lathrop Road and the Honda was reportedly northbound on Airport Way. 

The male driver of the Honda was transported to a Modesto hospital and his wife was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital. The 17-year-old driver of the other vehicle reportedly suffered only a broken arm Sunday night.

“It was awful hearing them crying out,” one witness said. “ I’m just broken hearted and pray for them and their families.”

Another motorist who witnessed the crash, said when he turned in response to the noise of the accident one car was still spinning in the intersection. A second 2-year-old child was reportedly unhurt in the collision.

Sunday night the roadways were closed for some five hours while the major accident investigation team (MAIT) surveyed the intersection and the vehicles involved. Monday morning the closure of Airport Way and two lanes of Lathrop Road lasted for some two hours.

Investigators were concerned about possible signal light malfunctions and had workers check the operation of the red and green lights at the intersection, finding them working properly, police said.

A volunteer SHARP officer who was at the scene directing traffic on Monday “got a little hot” and called officers for help. An ambulance and firefighters responded and he was taken to a local hospital. At press time he had reportedly been sent home after treatment and evaluation and was doing fine, police said.

It was unknown at press time whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the Sunday night collision, according to Sgt. Paul Carmona.