Three Dead, Three Injured In Guess Road Wreck

The state Highway Patrol said Ronnie Holden Jr. crossed the center line and hit two other vehicles on Guess Road, between Milton Road and Cardens Creek Drive, just after 3 p.m. Friday.

Stephanie Maynard, 25, and Laurie Maynard, 19, of Roxboro, died in the crash. Troopers said the sisters, who were passengers in the 1996 Ford sedan driven by Holden, were not wearing seat belts.

Holden, 20, was taken off life support Sunday.

Holden's father said the car his son was driving may be partly to blame. Ronnie Holden Sr. said the car was overheating that day and believes it could have ruined the steering.

"When the car heats up like that, then there are several things that can happen. The engine can lock up, the water pump can lock up, and when that happens, you've got no control over a car," Holden said.

Thomas Baxter, a friend of the victim and self-described back yard mechanic, said he checked the car out Friday afternoon.

"I said 'Don't try to leave with the car like this. You're going to have major damage with the motor if you drive like this," Baxter said he told Holden Jr.

Two young children who were injured are in fair condition at Duke Medical Center.Investigators said 15-month-old Tyler Bryant and 4-month-old Kelly Ware were both in car safety seats.

Cynthia Rich of Durham, the driver a pickup truck involved in the crash, was treated at Durham Regional Hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

Troopers said alcohol and speed may have played factors in the crash.

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Brian Bowman