03/04/10 — Woman in fatal wreck identified

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Woman in fatal wreck identified

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on March 4, 2010 1:46 PM

A Mount Olive woman was killed when she ran into a tree on N.C. 403 just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, a Duplin County Highway Patrol sergeant said this morning.

Falling snow may have played a role in the death, according to a report filed by investigating Trooper Devin Rich.

Maria Alejandra Flores, 44, of Broken Tee Mobile Home Park Lane, died after her 2001 Dodge SUV ran off the left side of the roadway, Sgt. Bryan Smith said.

"She was traveling west on N.C. 403, and apparently lost control due to the snow, crossed the center line, ran off the roadway to the left, and struck a tree," the sergeant said.

The SUV came to a rest after striking the tree, which was between 11 and 30 feet off of the roadway, Smith said. The accident scene was a few miles away from North Duplin High School, authorities said.

A passenger, David Flores, 18, who lived with Ms. Flores at Broken Tee Mobile Home Park, suffered minor injury, according to the accident report.

The accident that killed Ms. Flores was the third fatal accident in the area on Tuesday evening.