Mother, son killed in traffic accident near Clarkton

A man and woman ran off the road and slammed into this tree.

CLARKTON, NC (WECT) – Two people were killed in an accident that happened about a mile outside of Clarkton, according to officials.

Authorities say Beatrice Dunbar, 74, and Verian Roscoe Dunbar, 49, were driving on Highway 701 toward Elizabethtown Wednesday morning when they ran off the road and hit a tree. They were mother and son, both from Columbus County.

According to troopers, Verian was driving and tried to pass another car. They say he was driving about 80 mph and lost control of the Toyota Four-Runner.

"When it went off to the right it crossed two separate driveways," explained trooper Ray Battle. "And as it crossed the driveways the vehicle became airborne twice, and then the last time it went airborne it went up into the trees."

Battle said it took emergency officials about two hours to get to the victims because the car was stuck 10-feet in the tree.

Troopers said the Dunbars died at the scene.