Driver who hit, killed man walking dog now charged with involuntary manslaughter

CHARLOTTE — Almost a month after man walking his dog was hit and killed by a Toyota Highlander, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged the driver with involuntary manslaughter.

The crash happened on July 1 along Prosperity Church Road and Pinewood Lane in northeast Charlotte.

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Investigators, who were on scene for hours, told Channel 9 the collision happened around 8 p.m. The driver of the SUV was heading east on Prosperity Church Road when he ran off the road and hit Tran Viet Tran, 48, who was walking his dog.

Both Tran and his pet were killed.

The SUV kept going and slammed into some trees down the road. A tow truck was able to pull it out of the woods around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

The car was traveling at a high rate of speed, CMPD said.

Police said Waltavius Brian Mims, 31, was recklessly driving and failed to maintain being in his lane. He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and reckless driving. On Thursday, almost a month later, Mims was also charged with involuntary manslaughter.

He was also cited for failure to maintain lane.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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