A tragic hit-and-run incident has left a 64-year-old pedestrian dead after a vehicle collision on W. 4th Street in Charlotte's Central Division. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reports that the accident, involving a silver 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and pedestrian Michael Joseph Janik, took place on the evening of Saturday. The CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The accident was reported at approximately 9:25 p.m., and upon their arrival, officers discovered Mr. Janik unresponsive at the scene with life-threatening injuries. MEDIC swiftly transported Mr. Janik to Atrium Health, where he was pronounced dead. In what appears to be a clear breach of roadway safety, early findings suggest Mr. Janik was attempting to cross outside of a designated crosswalk when the vehicle struck him and decided to hastily flee the scene.
In a detailed report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, law enforcement officers with the help of the Real Time Crime Center were able to locate the involved Chevrolet Cruze. The vehicle was found at 1516 Effingham Road in the Metro Division, with front-end damage consistent with the collision.
The identity of the driver has been confirmed as 44-year-old Sidney Deon Cain. Following an impairment screening, Ms. Cain was arrested on charges of Felony Death by Vehicle and Felony Hit and Run. Police have reason to believe that excessive speed and impairment were key factors that did likely contribute to the tragic outcome of the incident.
