Two wrecks in same block kill woman, injure three

The two wrecks occcurred in the 5200 block of North Roxboro Road, near Omega Road, within about two hours of each other.

Shortly before 1 a.m., a southbound vehicle driven by Teodoro Gomez, of Durham, crossed the center line. Gomez's vehicle collided with a vehicle going the opposite direction, driven by Joseph Lester Jr., of Roxboro.

Clara Lester, of Roxboro, died from injuries sustained in the crash. She was a passenger in Joseph Lester's vehicle.

Gomez was listed in critical condition at Duke University Hospital later Saturday morning. Joseph Lester was hosptalized for injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.

Both vehicles were a total loss.

Around 3 a.m., a 1992 Buick driven by Bobby Clayton, of Warsaw, struck the left side of a patrol car blocking the accident scene in the southbound lanes of Roxboro.

Cpl. J.D. Piatt suffered a minor head injury, and Clayton was uninjured.

The Buick was a total loss, and the patrol car sustained approximately $8,000 in damage.

No one has been charged in the wreck that killed Clara Lester, but police said the investigation into it continues.

Clayton was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Police said he did not stop in time.

Piatt had activated his patrol car's lights were on and placed flares around it, police said.