Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said Letha Williams, 82, of Hobgood, and Lucille Stephanelli, 71, of Toms River, New Jersey, died Wednesday. Family members reported that Donald Stephanelli, 72, also of Toms River, died overnight.
Mr. Stephanelli was driving the vehicle struck head-on by Frank Reid's vehicle when Reid, 78, of Hobgood, drove onto the southbound lane of the interstate and began heading north.
Stephanelli's 2004 Buick was traveling approximately 70 miles per hour when his vehicle and the 2006 Ford operated by Reid collided.
Reid and another passenger in his car remain in serious condition and charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle are pending against Reid. Williams was a passenger in Reid's car when the crash occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m.
No other circumstances other than driver error have been cited in the crash. “It's a very unfortunate accident,” Jackson said.
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