Clayton Wreck Injures Three

The state Highway Patrol said a Chevrolet Lumina rear-ended a backhoe at the Highway 70 Business/Highway70 Bypass split in Clayton.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Mary Elizabeth Armstrong, 19, of Raleigh, said she never saw the backhoe on the highway.

The backhoe was operated by Elbert Mitchell, 70, of Clayton. His wife Betty, 66, was thrown from the vehicle.She is listed in critical but stable condition at WakeMed; Mitchell and Armstrong were also transported.

Armstrong was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

Eastbound lanes of Highway 70 Business to Smithfield were affected for part of the morning commute.