Fatal Crash Investigation in the Westover Division

Published on February 12, 2024

Fatal Crash Investigation in the Westover Division

Charlotte, N.C. – (Sunday, February 11, 2024) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash in the Westover Division. 

On Sunday, February 11, 2024, at approximately 12:06 a.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers responded to the 3900 block of South Tryon Street reference to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

Upon arrival officers located a female pedestrian lying in the roadway with serious injuries. While on scene, officers were unable to locate a vehicle that had struck the pedestrian. MEDIC and the Charlotte Fire Department responded to the crash location. MEDIC transported the pedestrian to Atrium Health Main with life threatening injuries.

While at Atrium Health Main the pedestrian, who was identified as Cyndee Taylor Dutton (DOB: 6/8/1999), was pronounced deceased due to injuries she sustained from the crash. As officers were on the scene of the crash, the driver of the vehicle that struck Cyndee Dutton called 911 to report that he struck a pedestrian on South Tryon Street and was stopped on the side of Interstate 77 near Clanton Road. Officers responded to the location on Interstate 77 and located a white Chevrolet Equinox with heavy front-end damage. With the vehicle was Michael Anthony Putnam, who stated that he was driving the Chevrolet Equinox that struck Cyndee Dutton.

DWI Task Force Officers responded and found Putnam to be impaired. Putnam was arrested and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to be interviewed. At the conclusion of the interview, Putnam was charged with Felony Death by Motor Vehicle and was transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

The family of Cydnee Dutton have been notified of her death.

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 case is asked to call Detective Worthy at 704-432-2169, Ext. 4.  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, refer to the report: 20240211-0006-00.

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