Woman released from hospital, charged in deadly I-77, I-85 interchange crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said the driver of the car that crashed on the Interstate 77, Interstate 85 interchange, killing one person, was trying to get away from officers.

Officers responded to a License Plate Reader call for service after it received a hit on a stolen vehicle out of South Carolina. The 2008 Ford Fusion was reported stolen Wednesday night and the LPR captured it traveling on Sugar Creek Road.

Police located the vehicle, started following it and requested Charlotte-Mecklenburg police’s aviation unit.

When the helicopter unit was in the area, officers initiated a traffic stop on Atando Avenue near I-77. Police said the driver, Sabrina Burdea, refused to stop and sped onto I-77 northbound.

Officers said they stopped following the car, but the helicopter kept the vehicle in sight.

The Ford traveled on I-77 at a high rate of speed and exited at Exit 13B for I-85 south. The driver lost control, and the vehicle ran off the road into some woods.

Some of the scene from I77 NB ramp to I85 SB, ramp is still closed. @wsoctv #WakeUpWith9 pic.twitter.com/ljLh6k77JI
— Andrew (@ajpWSOC9) December 15, 2016

The car hit several trees and rolled down an embankment.

The driver, Sabrina Burdea, and a 15-year-old juvenile were taken to Carolina Medical Center with serious injuries.

Another passenger, Marcia Lawton, died at the scene.

(Sabrina Burdea)

Burdea was taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail Saturday after being released from the hospital and charged with flee to elude, possession of a stolen car, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

Investigators said excessive speed contributed to the crash. No other vehicles were involved.

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