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MURFREESBORO – A two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon on NC 11 claimed the lives of two senior citizens from Bertie County.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports that 82-year-old Dorothy Mae Sessoms of Windsor and Joseph Chism, age 79 of Aulander who was a passenger in the Sessoms vehicle, lost their lives.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m. near the Meherrin Indian Tribal Grounds.

State Trooper Curtis Chamblee said Sessoms was operating a 2005 Ford station wagon southbound on NC 11. Her vehicle reportedly crossed left of the centerline, and ran off the highway to the left before traveling back into the roadway in the northbound lane.

Meanwhile, Pamela Joan Garris Grizzard, 69 of Murfreesboro, was alone in her vehicle, a 2017 Ford SUV, that was traveling north on NC 11. Her vehicle was struck head-on by the car driven by Sessoms.

A second passenger in the Sessoms vehicle, 73-year-old James C. Riddick of Windsor, was injured, as was Grizzard. The extent of their injuries is not known.

Trooper Chamblee said an investigation continues into what caused Sessoms to cross into the northbound lane of travel.