Man accused of causing I-485 crash that killed 5 faces judge

CHARLOTTE — The man investigators said is responsible for a crash that killed five people last week on Interstate 485 has been released from the hospital and booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Dakeia Charles is facing several charges, including speeding, DWI and five counts of second-degree murder. Charles’ charges were upgraded to murder because of all the factors that led to the crash. He faced a judge on Friday.

Friday marks one week since the crash. Troopers said Charles was speeding when he hit the back of a box truck on the outer loop of I-485, near Beatties Ford Road.

The box truck lost control, crossed the median, and crashed head-on into two vehicles.

The wreck killed four members of one family. Andrea and Matthew Obester died, as did their daughters Elizabeth and Violet. Their 14-year-old son wasn’t with them at the time and is struggling with a massive loss. We’re told the Obesters had a love for animals. Andrea ran Angel Ark Animal Rescue in Belmont.

A passenger in the other vehicle that Charles hit, Mark Barlaan, was also killed. Barlaan was riding with his wife and son, Jameson. Jameson told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito that his father was a devoted Christian who attended Christ Covenant in Matthews. He loved his family and people around him.

'They'll be missed dearly': 4 family members among 5 killed in crash on I-485 in north Charlotte 'They'll be missed dearly': 4 family members among 5 killed in crash on I-485 in north Charlotte

Cox Media Group