Fatal Hit and Run Crash Investigation in the Hickory Grove Division
Published on July 29, 2024
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, July 29, 2024) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal hit and run crash in the Hickory Grove Division.
On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at approximately 9:44 a.m., Hickory Grove Division officers responded to a motor vehicle crash with injury involving two vehicles in the 8900 block of Albemarle Road. Upon arrival, officers located a 2011 Toyota Camry with heavy damage to the passenger side and a 2006 Nissan 350z with heavy front-end damage. The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC also responded to the scene. MEDIC transported the driver and passenger of the Toyota to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. The driver, Mr. Robert Birch, 81, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.
Detectives with the CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force and Motor Unit responded to the scene to conduct their investigation and members of Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to process the scene and collect physical evidence. The preliminary investigation indicates the Nissan 350z was racing a 2012 Scion passenger vehicle. As the Toyota was making a U-Turn, it was struck by the Nissan. The driver and passenger of the Nissan then left the scene with the occupants of the Scion.
As a result of the investigation, Hickory Grove Division officers were able to locate and stop the Scion in this case. All parties in the Scion were transported to the Law Enforcement Center to speak to detectives. At the conclusion of the interviews, both juvenile drivers of the Nissan and Scion were charged as adults with the following:
- Felony Hit and Run/Death
- Spontaneous Street Racing
- No Operator’s License
Additional charges are pending with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
Mr. Birch’s next of kin has been notified of his death.
The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Division. 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: 20240728-0944-04.
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