Police: 19-year-old charged in fatal crash Wednesday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 19-year-old woman is in jail Wednesday after a crash killed a Charlotte woman.

Police said they charged Warnella Bryant, who was treated at Carolina Medical Center - Main for serious injuries, with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after she was released from the hospital.

The crash killed 60-year-old Donna Solomon and injured her husband, Melvin Solomon.

It shut down a stretch of Beatties Ford Road near Rhian Brook Lane for hours Wednesday morning.

In the 911 call obtained by Eyewitness News, the urgency in one witness's voice is clear.

"There's one person unconscious in the car. We need somebody ASAP," she said.

"Okay, hold on for MEDIC. Hold on," the dispatcher said.

"Hurry up," the witness said.

Gary Johnson heard a loud boom from his home and biked over quickly to see if he could help.

He found Melvin Solomon conscious.

"I was talking to the husband and he said they were just celebrating their 40th year," he said. "They were going to eat breakfast. It's awful, man."

Police said Bryant was heading southbound on Beatties Ford Road in a red Ford Mustang, when she swerved into the oncoming lane and hit the Solomons in their green Chrysler LeBaron.

Though police haven't said whether speed was a factor, neighbor John Castellano said drivers often speed there, coming from a Food Lion just up the road. He wants police to patrol there more often or lower the speed limit.

"It's terrible," he said. "Especially, somebody lost a life."

Police said alcohol was not involved. They have not yet released a full report explaining why they believe Bryant swerved.

Melvin Solomon was released from the hospital late Wednesday afternoon.