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Driver faces murder charge in fatal Durham crash

One man died and two others were taken to a local hospital following a crash early Monday in Durham.

Posted Updated

By
Brett Knese
, WRAL multimedia journalist
DURHAM, N.C. — One man died and two others were taken to a local hospital following a crash early Monday in Durham.

The crash occurred before 2:30 a.m. along Junction Road near Cheek Road and Inlet Avenue.

Police said a vehicle operated by Everardo Garcia left the roadway, and he overcorrected, causing the vehicle to go airborne. It struck a utility pole and a tree in the wooded area and caught fire.

Garcia and passengers Paulo Mendoza and Ricardo Tapia, all of Durham, were thrown from the vehicle. Mendoza was killed, while the others suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicated that speed and alcohol both appeared to play roles in the crash.

Garcia was cited with driving while impaired and driving with a revoked license. Police also have obtained arrest warrants charging him with second-degree murder, aggravated felony death by vehicle, aggravated felony serious injury by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving and not having automobile insurance.

There were some power outages in the area, and Junction Road was closed because of downed power lines.

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