A pedestrian was fatally injured in a multi-vehicle crash at a South Division intersection on Monday, August 19, according to officials from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The collision occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. at the junction of Pineville Matthews Road and Providence Road. As detailed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department news release, responding South Division officers discovered significant damage: a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup struck on the driver's side, a 2016 GMC Yukon SUV with heavy damage to its front-end, and a 2018 Volkswagen with minor rear bumper damage.
Found lying near the Ram pickup, the pedestrian involved, identified as 41-year-old Eric Macken, was swiftly transported to a local hospital by MEDIC. Despite efforts to save his life, Mr. Macken succumbed to his life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased the following day. While turning onto northbound Providence Road from Pineville-Matthews Road, the GMC Yukon was hit by the Dodge Ram, whose driver, Scott Austin, 44, failed to stop for a red light, the investigation led by CMPD's Major Crash Investigation Unit found. Resulting from the crash, the Ram pickup spun and struck Mr. Macken who was legally crossing in a marked crosswalk.
In the wake of the accident, detectives and members from the Crime Scene Search arrived to the site to conduct necessary investigations and to collect physical evidence. The preliminary findings suggest that while speed and impairment are not believed to have been contributing factors, driver error may have played a central role. Yesterday, August 28, Scott Austin responded to the charge for his role in the incident and turned himself into the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, as confirmed by the warrant issued for Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's report, the case remains under active investigation. Mr. Macken's family has been notified, as they now confront the aftermath of this unforeseen tragedy.
