A Johnston County woman was killed in a two-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon outside Coats.
Rochelle Atkinson, 67, of Selma was traveling west on Ebenezer Church Road at 2:11 p.m. and reportedly failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of Bailey’s Crossroads Road, according to the Highway Patrol. She was struck by a vehicle traveling north on Bailey’s Crossroads Road. That vehicle was driven by Oscar Leonardo Gomez, 43, of Dunn.
Mrs. Atkinson was pronounced dead on the scene. Mr. Gomez was taken to WakeMed with non-life-threatening injuries.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts and alcohol was not involved, according to the Highway Patrol.
Willa Elliott of Dunn was friends with Mrs. Atkinson.
“We belonged to the same church over in Bentonville,” Ms. Elliott said. “She’s married to my cousin, Larry Atkinson.”
Ms. Elliott said Mrs. Atkinson was a longtime usher at Bentonville Disciples of Christ. Ms. Elliott said Mrs. Atkinson was a mother and grandmother. “She’s a good worker and just a kind person. She seemed to get along with everybody. She loved her usher job at church,” Ms. Elliott said.
Funeral services for Mrs. Atkinson will be held Friday at the Western Assembly Building, 9766 U.S. 701 South, Newton Grove.
-Dunn Daily Record
