Two dead after crash in Durham, police suspect drunk driving

Two people were killed in a car crash early Tuesday morning in southern Durham, according to Durham police.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., a Chevy Camaro crashed at the intersection of East Cornwallis Road and Beechwood Drive near Beechwood Cemetery.

Carlos Corona Cortes, 27, of Durham, and Yessika Carapia-Madrigal, 21, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Cortes lost control of the car and over-corrected, causing him and Carapia-Madrigal to crash into a telephone pole before rolling into a tree.

Durham police said an initial investigation pointed to speed and alcohol as likely factors. They also said neither the driver nor passenger was wearing a seatbelt.

The crash remains under investigation and police ask that anyone who saw or has information about it to contact Investigator G.L. Munter at 919-560-4935 Ext. 29448.

This story was originally published January 24, 2023 at 10:26 AM.