Harriet Meek and her daughter, Jamie, were traveling to school from their home in Goldsboro when Harriet ran a red light. Their vehicle was hit by a tractor trailer.
Both were taken to Wayne Medical Center, where Harriet was pronounced dead. Jamie was listed in stable condition Tuesday.
The accident happened at Highway 117 Bypass and Elm Street.
Harriet Meek was a teacher at Mount Olive Middle School for five years. She taught communications skills and Social Studies. Jamie Meek is a sixth-grader at the school.
William Richards said his son was one of Meek's students three years ago.
"He admired her, liked her a lot," Richards said. "He really enjoyed being in her class.
"In my opinion, she was a really good teacher. She really looked out for our kids. Wayne County education is going to miss her because it's hard to find good teachers."
The driver of the tractor trailer was identified as Carlton Jenkins, from Bethel, N.C., near Greenville. He was said to be OK.
Police said Harriet Meek was at fault in the accident.
"You could tell by the students' reactions, the notes they wrote today, that they loved her," Wayne County school spokesman Stan Alleyne said. "It is one thing to be a quality teacher, and it's another for everybody in the school to embrace you, and that's what they did with her.
"She would never say no. She was always on all the committees. She was a giving teacher, a loving teacher, and you could tell that today."
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