HENRICO – Two motorists from Virginia were killed on Labor Day during a wreck on River Road near Henrico in western Northampton County.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports that David Garner of Valentines, VA and Stephanie Williams of Emporia, VA died in the two-vehicle accident that occurred shortly after 6 p.m.

NCHP Trooper J.D. Warren said Garner, 60, was driving his vehicle south when he crossed left of the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by Williams, 28.

Both Garner and Williams died at the scene, Warren said.

A male child in the vehicle with Williams sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids.

Asked what caused Garner to cross the centerline Warren, declining to elaborate, said, “We feel he was impaired on illegal substances.”

Gaston Fire-Rescue-EMS along with Roanoke-Wildwood Fire Department was dispatched to the head-on collision. Fire Chief Ed Porter Jr. said upon arrival, both drivers – one operating a passenger van and the other driving a pick up truck – were found trapped inside their respective vehicles.

The male in the pick up truck was extricated by Roanoke-Wildwood firefighters who removed the driver’s door. The female driving the van was extricated by Gaston firefighters who used a B-post blowout and dash roll.

Two Vidant EastCare helicopters landed at the scene. Both drivers were later pronounced dead on the scene by Northampton County EMS paramedics.

Porter said the roadway was completely shutdown during the duration of the incident. Firefighters remained on scene for over two hours. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Department was also on the scene.

The Labor Day weekend also claimed another life in Halifax County when a Rocky Mount man died Sunday morning in a single vehicle crash in the Scotland Neck area, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Trooper T.D. “Bo” Forsht said Lajuane M. Baker, 41, was traveling south on Highway 258 near the Edgecombe County line when he ran off the road to the right shortly after 10 a.m.

He came back onto the roadway, overcorrected and went back off the right side where his vehicle collided with a tree.

Forsht said excessive speed, failure to maintain lane control and overcorrection contributed to the crash.