Two killed in Wayne County wrecks

One person was killed Monday morning when the SUV he was riding in veered off the road near Dudley, authorities said.

Six people were heading to a farm for work at about 7 a.m. when the driver lost control of the vehicle on Herring Road, Highway Patrol Trooper J.S. Smith said.

Jose Vasquez, 19, of Dudley, was thrown from the vehicle and killed. Smith said Vasquez was asleep in the back seat and wasn't wearing his seat belt.

Another passenger, Carolina Rodriguez, 26, of Goldsboro, also wasn't wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, Smith said. She suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital.

The driver, Mercedes Vasquez, 31, of Mount Olive, and three other passengers were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries that authorities said didn't appear to be life-threatening.

Mercedes Vasquez has been charged with death by motor vehicle and driving with no operator's license.

A Mount Olive woman was killed in a separate wreck late Sunday, authorities said.

Kristy Jernigan Lee, 37, was southbound on U.S. Highway 117 when her vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle, authorities said.

The driver of the other vehicle was trying to a third vehicle in a no-passing zone when the wreck occurred, authorities said.

There was no word on the condition of the driver of the other vehicle involved in the wreck or any passengers.

There also was no word Monday on possible charges in the case.