CHARLOTTE — Dawson Oliver turned 22 in February, but his family members will not get to see him turn 23. Four days after his birthday, Oliver was driving on Highway 73 near Black Farms Road in Huntersville when police say Garry Lackey Jr. crossed the center line and hit him.
Police say Lackey had a gun, a strong odor of weed and a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit. It’s not his first run in with the law.
“I don’t understand it all,” Billie Sanders, Oliver’s mom, said.
Sanders traveled from Tennessee to be in court Tuesday afternoon. She says she wanted to ensure Lackey wouldn’t be able to leave.
He’s been arrested dozens of times across the state, had multiple license suspensions and has been accused of multiple hit and runs, according to Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney Monica Noble.
Noble told the judge if he is given a bond, he will kill someone else.
“You give him a shot at a bond, someone will end up dead,” Noble said.
Judge Fritz Mercer sided with the Mecklenburg County DA and didn’t give Lackey a bond. His mom says Oliver loved Legos, the Carolina Panthers and had the biggest heart.
“I don’t want him free to hurt someone else,” Sanders said. “My son is gone. I will never get to talk with my son again. I will never get to do anything with my son again and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
She’s thankful Lackey was arrested, now she wants him held accountable
“I just want justice for my kid,” she said. “That’s it.”
Police say Lackey had three prior felony convictions so he was not legally able to have the gun he was found with.
He was charged with second-degree murder, DWI, having a firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana, speeding and traveling left of the centerline.
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