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GATESVILLE – Two teenagers, both from Gatesville, were tragically killed in an accident involving off-road motorcycles near here Wednesday evening.

Demond Jones, age 19, and a 13-year-old juvenile, whose name was not released, died in the mishap that occurred around 8:13 p.m. on Harrell’s Church Road near its intersection with Turner Road near Gatesville.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. K.R. Briggs said the juvenile was operating a Yamaha 450 motorcycle that was traveling east on Harrell’s Church Road. Meanwhile, a Suzuki motorcycle, operated by Jones, was westbound on the same road.

“Through our preliminary investigation, it appears that both motorcycles were operating without the use of headlights,” Sgt. Briggs stated. “It appears that the motorcycle operated by the juvenile crossed the centerline and struck the motorcycle operated by Mr. Jones.

“The two motorcycles collided in the westbound lane and overturned. Both young men were pronounced dead at the scene,” Sgt. Briggs added.

The NCHP Sergeant stated that one helmet was found near the accident scene.

“We’re uncertain at this point if either driver was wearing a helmet,” he said. “We believe there were others present at the time of the accident and we’re still in the process of conducting interviews that will assist in our investigation.”

NCHP Trooper J.O. Sampson is the lead investigator, assisted by Trooper J.G. Williams.

The deadly accident increased the number of fatalities to 15 for the year in the NCHP’s Troop A / District II area (Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties). Three of those fatalities have occurred in Gates County.