DURHAM, N.C.-- Durham police are investigating an early morning fatal accident that occurred Saturday at the 5200 block of North Roxboro Road near Omega Road.

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According to police, the accident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Police say Teodoro Gomez was traveling southbound when he crossed the center line and collided with Joseph Lester Jr. of Roxboro. Lester was traveling northbound when he was hit. Police confirmed that a passenger in Lester’s vehicle, Clara Lester, was fatally injured.

 

Authorities say Joseph Lester was treated for his injuries which were not life-threatening. Gomez is in critical condition at Duke University Hospital.

 

Police say no charges have been filed at this time, but the accident remains under investigation.

 

A second accident also occurred at the same location around 3 a.m. Saturday while officers were investigating the first accident.

 

Durham Police Cpl. J.D. Piatt had parked his patrol car across the southbound lanes to block the road. Police say the patrol car’s emergency lights were on and there were flares on the road near the vehicle

 

Police say Bobby Clayton, the driver of a 1992 Buick, did not stop in time and hit the patrol car while Piatt was inside. Piatt suffered a minor head injury. 

Clayton was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.