Authorities say a Monroe woman turned a rented U-Haul into a weapon, slamming it into a man and pinning him underneath, then leaving him with severe injuries. The victim was first taken to a local emergency department, then airlifted to another hospital for extensive treatment. Investigators say the assault happened on Dec. 17 and that they later developed evidence tying a suspect to the attack.
Brittney Carnevale, 34, of Monroe was arrested on June 3. A warrant shows she is charged with attempted felony first-degree murder and felony larceny of a motor vehicle, with the U-Haul valued at about $30,000. According to The Charlotte Observer, the warrant states the assault was carried out “with malice aforethought.” The Observer reports detectives developed the evidence during an investigation that wrapped up earlier this month.
In a June 8 news release, the Union County Sheriff's Office said detectives had "recently concluded an investigation into a violent assault involving a male victim who sustained severe injuries after being struck by a U-Haul truck." The release says investigators gathered evidence indicating Carnevale hit the man with the truck, trapping him underneath. She appeared before a judicial official, who ordered that she be held without bond. Authorities have not released the victim’s name or provided detailed updates on his condition.
Legal context
When a warrant uses the phrase "malice aforethought," it signals that prosecutors are pursuing the elements needed for an attempted first-degree murder charge, which requires allegations of an intent to kill. Under North Carolina law, first-degree murder includes willful, deliberate and premeditated killings, as well as killings that occur during certain felonies or through the use of a deadly weapon. Attempted first-degree murder requires prosecutors to allege a similar level of intent, even though the victim survived. See N.C.G.S. § 14-17 for the statute that defines first-degree murder.
What’s next
So far, the warrant and the sheriff’s news release are the main public records in the case, according to The Charlotte Observer. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue formal indictments, and any next steps will be documented in Union County court filings if the charges move forward. Hoodline will continue to monitor court dockets and local law-enforcement updates for further developments.
