Tragedy struck twice with the loss of life on the streets of Charlotte, with officials and witnesses grappling to come to terms with the circumstances. A young man, identified as 23-year-old Darian Ivan Gueta-Macias, lost his life after being struck by a car while crossing South Tryon Street, reported QC News. According to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, the accident happened just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with police arriving to find Gueta-Macias critically injured on the road.
The investigation indicated Gueta-Macias was not in the crosswalk during the time he was hit. As revealed in a follow-up from WCNC, the driver of the Lexus RX350 involved in the incident was not impaired or speeding. Despite efforts by MEDIC who took him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, Gueta-Macias was pronounced dead the following day.
In an unrelated but equally heartrending event, another pedestrian fatality ocurred this week. Hanh Hoang, aged 76, was crossing Shopton Road West in a marked crosswalk when struck by a Toyota Camry. WSOCTV reports that the driver, 41-year-old Alma Monica Velasquez, stayed at the scene and has since been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Investigators have ruled out impairment and speed as contributing factors in the crash.
CMPD continues to look into both incidents, appealing to the public for any information that may shed light on these tragic events. Anyone with knowledge regarding the collision that claimed Gueta-Macias' life is encouraged to call Detective W. Mercedes at 704-432-2169 ext. 6 or contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Details can also be provided through the P3 Tips Mobile App or online at CharlotteCrimeStoppers.com, offering ways for the community to assist anonymously.
