CMPD: 1 killed, 1 hurt when car fails to stop at sign, hitting motorcyclist

CHARLOTTE — A man died and his passenger was hurt when a car failed to stop at a stop sign over the weekend, police said.

It happened around 9 a.m. Sunday along Old Statesville Road at Statesville Road in north Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers found two cars at the scene: A 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE 350 and a 2017 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Investigators believe the driver of Mercedes Benz, 44-year-old Vernetta Laverne Beatty-Cypriani, failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the path of the motorcycle.

The driver and passenger on the motorcycle were thrown from the bike due to the impact of the crash. A Channel 9 crew at the scene could see scattered debris and the badly damaged motorcycle.

Both the motorcycle’s driver and passenger were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver, 47-year-old Dennis Paul Koch, died at the hospital.

Beatty-Cypriani remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. She was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and was taken to the Mecklenburg County jail.

Police don’t think speeding or impairment led to the crash, but it remains under investigation.

Old Statesville Road was shut down for several hours as officials worked to clear the scene.

This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.

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