Charlotte Woman Arrested For Hit-and-Run Seriously Injuring Bicyclist

Tips from Charlotte motorists assisted area police in the arrest of a Charlotte woman for a hit-and-run crash that left a bicyclist with life-threatening injuries early Thursday morning.

According to authorities, the crash happened at approximately 5:50 a.m. when the 50-year-old bicyclist was struck in the 13900 block of Brown Grier Road off of Steele Creek Road, near Kennedy Middle School in South West Charlotte. The bicyclist underwent surgery for the serious injuries that he suffered from the crash that evening.

Shortly after the crash, police received tips from a motorist of someone driving erratically on I-485 in eastern Mecklenburg County.  N.C. Highway Patrol spotted the woman driving on Interstate 485, at least 30 miles from the scene of the hit-and-run crash.  She was taken into custody and is facing charges of driving while impaired, felony hit-and-run, and felony serious injury by vehicle.

Authorities found pieces of broken class and other car parts on the scene of the hit-and-run.  Investigators are also examining the damage to the woman’s vehicle which include a shattered, partially collapsed windshield.

The woman remains in Mecklenburg jail under a $52,000 bond.

Road safety is the responsibility of all road users, whether it’s pedestrians, motor-vehicle drivers, bicyclists and other road using travelers.  When it comes to bicycle safety, it’s important for drivers to stay alert and bicyclists to practice safe riding.  Motorists should always keep out a careful eye for bicyclists before making turns, merging and opening doors next to moving traffic.  Drivers should also remember that bicyclists are entitled to share the road with motorists and to respect the right of way even with bicycles.  Bicyclists should always remember to maintain control of the bicycle, always wear a protective helmet, stay visible to drivers, and ride with traffic.