Authorities search for vehicle in hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist

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By Alexa Ashwell

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A family is desperate for answers after a father of three was killed in a hit-and-run in Charlotte early Sunday.

Troopers were dispatched to Interstate 85 north a half-mile north of Statesville Avenue around 3:53 a.m.

Investigators identified the victim as Carlos Stewart, 41, of Kannapolis.

Investigators said Stewart and his fiancée were riding home after a night with friends when the back tire of his motorcycle blew out. Stewart and his fiancée were thrown from the motorcycle and onto the interstate. Seconds later, an SUV ran over Stewart, causing his fatal injuries, said investigators.

Troopers told Channel 9 the driver of the SUV didn't stop and has yet to be identified.
 
Tony Bing was driving home from work at the time and said he was in the next lane over and slightly behind the SUV. He said the driver swerved to miss the woman lying in the road and that's when he or she ran over Stewart.
 
"It just looked like there was a lot of debris in the street," said Bing. "I noticed that the SUV, he did a hard left. When he did a hard left to avoid hitting an object that turned out to be the lady that was involved in the accident, I noticed that he ran over the gentleman that was lying in the street. He kept going, he didn't stop."
 
Bing said he put his blinkers on and called 911 while other people helped pull Stewart's fiancée to safety.
 
"I don't think he meant to run over him, but I just wish he would have stopped," said Bing.
 
Members of Stewart's family described him as a loving, dedicated father and stepfather who enjoyed being outdoors, especially when it was to ride his motorcycle.  They said Stewart was a member of a local motorcycle group known as Liberty for Life and was a truck driver by profession. 
 
The family said Stewart was most passionate about his family and was engaged to be married to his fiancée in just one year.
 
The family and troopers are hopeful someone will come forward with information. No evidence was left at the scene and their only description is a dark-colored SUV, possibly an older model Ford.

“He may have a justification for not stopping,” said Trooper John Burgin.  “That’s why we want to find this person.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

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