A tragic incident unfolded Sunday evening on East Independence Boulevard, where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Major Crash Investigation Unit is diving deep into the circumstances that led to the fatal collision. The event has left the community questioning pedestrian safety on the bustling roadway. According to the CMPDs newsroom, this incident occurred in the Providence Division, raising fresh concerns over traffic hazards in the area.
The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m., when 73-year-old Harry Brooks was struck by a Nissan truck while reportedly running across East Independence Boulevard. Responders from the Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC pronounced Brooks dead at the scene. Claudio Maldonado, the 44-year-old driver of the Nissan, did not sustain injuries in the crash. The report, details that the truck incurred some front-end damage from the impact.
Detectives from the Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, Motor Unit, and Crime Scene Search worked together to reconstruct the events and gather evidence at the scene. They aimed to clarify what occurred during the incident. As the investigation continues, the authorities have not released information on what led Maldonado to collide with Brooks. It is not yet clear if speed, distraction, or impairment played a role, or if it was a grim case of being in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not yet announced whether charges will be filed against Maldonado. Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact detectives.
