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Monroe PD: Man charged in crash that killed 2 on U.S. 74

MONROE, N.C. — Police in Monroe have charged a Union County man with two counts of second-degree murder after officers said he killed two people in a crash last week.

Jose Herrera -- a convicted drunk driver -- was charged late Tuesday night after last Wednesday's crash on Highway 74.

RELATED: Police: 2 dead after crash caused by convicted drunk driver

Investigators said they found empty beer cans in Herrera's truck after he crossed the median and struck another car head-on.

Laral Callahan, who was in that other car, died instantly. Her boyfriend, Paul Randall, was rushed to the hospital but died two days later.

According to state prison records, Herrera, 52, was convicted of DWI in 2002 and 1996, and convicted of driving while license revoked in 1998 and 1999.

Investigators said Herrera suffered a broken ankle in the accident but was treated and released.

Herrera was also charged with reckless driving and driving while impaired. He was in the Union County jail under a $200,000 bond.