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COLERAIN – A two-vehicle accident on NC 42 near here Friday afternoon claimed the life of an Edenton man, resulting in charges against a Colerain woman.

The accident, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m., shut down the highway for four hours, according to North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper J. Sampson, who investigated the wreck.

Sampson’s report showed that 76-year-old Alvin F. Earley was operating a 2013 Honda passenger car westbound on NC 42. Meanwhile, a 2017 Subaru SUV, driven by 57-year-old Catherine S. Baker of Colerain, was traveling east on NC 42.

Baker’s vehicle veered left of center, striking Earley’s car head-on in the westbound lane, Sampson said. He added that both drivers were wearing seat belts and neither was carrying any passengers.

After impact, Sampson’s report showed that Baker’s SUV ran off the right side of the road where it collided with a ditch and came to rest against the guy-wire of a power pole.

Earley’s car traveled off the roadway and came to rest on the shoulder.

Sampson said Earley died at the scene. He added that Baker was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Baker was charged by Trooper Sampson with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and driving left of center.