An accountant from Granite Falls was killed in a motor vehicle crash Sunday afternoon that happened as he and his family returned from a beach trip along the North Carolina coast.

David Eugene Starnes, 56, of 6024 Powder Point Drive, Hickory, off Grace Chapel Road, died in the two-vehicle crash that happened south of Bolton on N.C. 211, a well-traveled route to Brunswick County beaches, in northern Columbus County. Starnes, was pronounced dead at Brunswick County Hospital in Supply.

Eighty-two-year-old James Elton Cameron of Sanford also died at the scene of the crash, which also left three people injured.

Starnes was a passenger in the rear seat of a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by his son, 32-year-old Matthew Jason Starnes, also of Hickory.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol report, Cameron and his wife Lucille were traveling south toward Brunswick County, while Starnes, his son and daughter-in-law Angel were heading north on 211.

The report indicates that Lucille Cameron was driving a 2008 Lincoln and was not attempting a passing maneuver but began to drift into the northbound lane at a rate of about 50 mph.

NCHP Trooper P.E. Nance III said a witness saw the Lincoln veer across the center line, and a second witness told him that the Jeep had no time to avoid the Lincoln.

"For some reason, she just went left of center, and I don't know why," Nance said. "I don't know what the problem was."

Matthew Starnes told Nance that an SUV ahead of him swerved and avoided the Lincoln, but he could not get the Jeep, traveling approximately 55 mph, out of the way in time to avoid the head-on collision. The crash injured Matthew and Angel Starnes as well as Lucille Cameron.

Both drivers and all three passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Matthew Starnes was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where Nance said he was in serious condition, though he was responsive and alert when the trooper spoke with him. He later was flown to Duke University. Angel Starnes was taken to Columbus Regional Healthcare and released later that day.

Lucille Cameron was taken by ambulance to Brunswick County Hospital and later airlifted to New Hanover. Nance said she is in critical condition.

"It was a horrendous impact," Nance said. "It was so sad for those families."

The Starnes family had spent the weekend at Holden Beach and was returning home. David Starnes' wife Sandra did not return home with her family, staying at Holden Beach instead.

David Starnes' accounting firm is on Main Street in Granite Falls.

"We're just heartbroken," Granite Falls Town Manager Linda Story said. "He's been a fixture here for years."