A tragic incident unfolded in Charlotte’s Central Division, where a pedestrian was fatally hit by a vehicle in the early hours of yesterday. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that Ryan Zadrozny was struck while crossing the street and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Mache Ulysses Darby, initially fled the location but was apprehended by officers after crashing the vehicle following a brief pursuit.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department official news release detailed that the accident occurred around 2:12 a.m. on West Morehead Street. Zadrozny, accompanied by two other individuals, was crossing in a marked crosswalk when he was hit by the Mercedes Benz driven by Darby. The two pedestrians with Zadrozny, fortunately, did not sustain injuries.
Detectives from the Major Crash Investigation Unit, supported by the Crime Scene Search Unit, are leading a meticulous inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. In their initial findings, both excessive speed and impaired driving are considered contributing factors to this fatal collision. The CMPD urges anyone with additional information to reach out to Detective Mercedes or Crime Stoppers.
After locating the Mercedes a few blocks from the crash site, law enforcement engaged in what turned into a short chase with Darby. Following the pursuit, and subsequent vehicle crash, Darby was taken to the hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening. It was found that he was impaired during the time of the incident, leading to several charges, including Felony Death by Vehicle and Felony Hit & Run. While in custody, Darby will have to reckon with the dreadful consequences of his actions on that ill-fated night.
For those who have information about this incident, CMPD encourages them to contact their offices or the Crime Stoppers program. The latter offers a means for anonymous tip submission through their website, which may be critical in aiding the ongoing investigation. This event serves as a sobering reminder of the grave repercussions that reckless and irresponsible driving can impose on a community.
