Saturday, October 19, 2019
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Major Crash Unit is conducting a fatality crash investigation in the Central Division. On Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2:36 a.m., Central Division officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Brookshire Freeway between Graham St and I-77. Upon arrival officers located a 2001 Toyota Camry with heavy front-end damage and an unresponsive pedestrian laying in the roadway. Medic arrived and pronounced the pedestrian deceased on scene.
CMPD's Major Crash Unit, DWI Task Force, Crime Scene Search, and the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiners Office responded to the scene to conduct the investigation.
Their initial investigation has revealed that the Toyota Camry was travelling Northwest on Brookshire Freeway in a posted 50 mph zone. The pedestrian was crossing Brookshire freeway in a poorly lit area from northeast to southwest. The driver of the Toyota Camry was unable to avoid striking the pedestrian who was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Toyota remained on scene and was interviewed by Major Crash Detectives.
Upon conclusion of the interview the driver of the Toyota Camry was arrested and charged with DWI before being transported to the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Excessive speed does not appear to be a contributing factor to this crash.
Additional vehicles were initially reported to be involved in this fatal crash, but investigators determined that the secondary crashes were a result of traffic attempting to avoid the initial collision. These crashes were not contributing factors to the incident and no other injuries were sustained.
This crash remains under investigation. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Detective Oberer with the Major Crash Investigation Unit at 704-432-2169.
Complaint Number: 20191019-0236-03
Location: 700 Brookshire Freeway
Division: Central
Victim #1:
Deonte Lamar Wilkins, B/M, DOB: 08/09/1994
Injury: Deceased
Impairment: Unknown
Next of kin has been notified
Driver #1:
Tucker Ryan Rhodes W/M, DOB: 02/07/1989
Injury: None
Impairment: Yes
Vehicle #1:
2001 Toyota Camry
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