Fatal Crash Investigation in the Hickory Grove Division
Published on October 17, 2024
Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, October 17, 2024) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal crash in the Hickory Grove Division.
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, shortly after 2 p.m., Hickory Grove Division officers responded to a motor vehicle crash with injury near the 4300 block of East W.T. Harris Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers located a 2011 Hyundai Sonata with heavy front-end damage and a 2020 Toyota Camry with heavy right-side damage. The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC also responded to the scene. MEDIC transported the driver of the Toyota, Aneesah Akbar, 47, and the passenger of the Toyota, Darlene Akbar, 74, to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased. MEDIC also transported the driver of the Hyundai, De’Ontrey Taylor, 25, to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives from the CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, Motor Unit responded to the scene to conduct their investigation and members of Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. The preliminary investigation indicates the Hyundai driven by Mr. Taylor was traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on East W.T. Harris Boulevard when he collided with the Toyota as it was making a left turn. The impact of the crash caused both vehicles to go over a curb and into a grassy area off the roadway.
Officers with CMPD’s DWI Task Force responded to the hospital to screen Mr. Taylor for impairment and found him to be impaired.
Upon Mr. Taylor’s release from the hospital, he was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit. At the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Taylor was transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the following:
- Felony Death by Vehicle (2 counts)
- Reckless Driving
- No Operator’s License
The next of kin for Ms. Aneesah Akbar and Ms. Darlene Akbar have been notified of their deaths.
The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office. Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this crash is asked to call Detective Mercedes at 704-432-2169, Ext. 5. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For additional information about this crash, please refer to the report: 20241015-1409-03.
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