A fatal North Carolina car wreck in the Charlotte area has resulted in an arrest of one drive. The accident occurred early in the morning on Jan. 6, according to police reports. The crash involved a 1988 Lincoln Town Car and a Mack truck towing a trailer. It was dark and there was a light rain falling, according to the police. The Mack truck was traveling southbound on N. Graham Street when the Lincoln swerved in front of it. The car was struck on the passenger side, and an individual riding in the front seat died from the impact. The stretch of N. Graham from Starita Road to W. Craighead Road was closed for approximately three hours following the collision.
Officers were told by the motorist that his something stuttered before the car swerved to the left and came to rest across the two southbound lanes of N. Graham Street. He further stated to police that he believed a bad shift linkage prevented him from getting the car to move. The driver of the automobile was subsequently charged for misdemeanor death by vehicle.
The investigation continues and is being conducted by the Major Crash Investigation Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as well as the Motor Carrier Unit of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Any possible witnesses to the crash are being asked to come forward.
While the man driving the car was charged in the truck crash, further investigation may reveal that the truck driver was acting negligently as well. If the truck was determined to be traveling over the speed limit, for example, the truck driver and his or her employer may be held liable for some of the damages related to the woman’s death.
Source: WBTV, “Man charged after passenger killed in wreck with tractor trailer“, Chris Dyches, January 06, 2014
