Rocky Mount woman dies in wreck with state patrol car

A Rocky Mount woman died when she pulled into the path of a state Highway Patrol car on U.S. Highway 301 late Tuesday.

Maurilia Solis Leon, 59, turned from the parking lot of a Golden Corral into the path of a trooper's cruiser in the far left lane of U.S. 301 North, near U.S. Highway 64, shortly after 11 p.m., said Highway Patrol spokesman First Sgt. Jeff Gordon.

Trooper A.S. Samuel tried to swerve left but struck the driver's side door of Leon's Dodge Stratus.

Leon died of her injuries, and Samuel was taken to Nash General Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Samuel was placed on administrative duty, pending the outcome of the investigation of the wreck, Gordon said. Such moves are customary when troopers are involved in incidents that result in injury or death.

Two witnesses told investigators that Samuel could not have avoided the wreck, Gordon said.

He said that both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and alcohol was not a factor.

U.S. 301 North was closed for about three hours after the wreck.