CHARLOTTE — A fatal crash early Wednesday left one person dead and closed down a major east Charlotte road for hours.
The wreck happened around 2 a.m. in the outbound lanes of Central Avenue between Winterfield Place and Rosehaven Drive, and left Central Avenue blocked in both directions.
Officers say a 2020 Dodge Journey struck a tree. The driver of that vehicle, Christopher Maurice Hames, died at the hospital.
The passenger in the vehicle is at the hospital with serious injuries.
CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force and Crime Scene Search teams are all investigating the wreck.
Channel 9 crews could see police had blocked off the road and surrounded the badly mangled vehicle with crimes scene tape.
Police believe the driver was traveling eastbound on Central Avenue when the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove onto the center median, hitting the tree.
Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that excessive speed was a contributing factor to the crash. It doesn’t appear that either of the people in the vehicle were wearing seatbelts.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169. You can also leave information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or by clicking here.
Police were able to reopen the road by 6 a.m.
Cox Media Group
