CHARLOTTE — A 19-year-old Johnson & Wales University student died after she was hit by a bus in Uptown Charlotte Sunday evening, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed. The bus driver was charged in connection to the crash.
Investigators said around 7 p.m. Sunday, officers were called to Cedar Street at West Fourth Street where they found a 2013 Van Hool Commuter Coach bus with a woman pinned underneath the vehicle.
Firefighters were able to free the woman from the car and she was taken to the hospital where she later died, investigators said. Authorities identified her as Destiny Vazquez.
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Police said they believe Vazquez was in the crosswalk and had the right of way while crossing West Fourth Street. At the same time, the bus driver drove into the intersection with a green light and tried to turn onto West Fourth Street.
Vazquez was hit and pinned underneath the bus, police said.
Many students at nearby Johnson & Wales University learned about Vasquez’s death.
“I was in the cafeteria, and we saw all the cops that were here,” sophomore Frida Angeles said.
Bouquets of purple and pink flowers were placed near the intersection where Vasquez was killed.
“I know that this is traumatizing because we, literally, cross over here every, single day,” sophomore Genesis Williams said.
There was no one on board the bus at the time of the crash, investigators said. Police said the driver, Dominique Massey, 35, was not believed to have been speeding or impaired at the time of the crash.
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The toxicology report results are still pending for Vazquez, authorities said.
Police said Massey has been charged with failure to yield the right of way and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Mercedes at 704-432-2169, extension 5. Information can also be left anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or by clicking here.
Johnson & Wales shared the following statement with Channel 9:
“Johnson & Wales University grieves the loss of Charlotte Campus sophomore Marielena Vazquez, who will always be remembered as Destiny to her family and friends. A Baking & Pastry Arts major scheduled to graduate in May 2023, she was a warm and caring student who excelled in both her labs and academics. We share our deepest condolences and stand united with Marielena’s family. Additional counseling services have been made available to our JWU community.”
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