A north Charlotte hit-and-run that left a pedestrian dead has ended with prison time for the driver. On June 13, 2026, a Charlotte man was sentenced to 20 to 33 months behind bars after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a crash that killed 34-year-old Antonio Harris. Harris was struck in the 1100 block of West Sugar Creek Road on Sept. 1, 2024, by a pickup investigators say was headed the wrong way. Police say the driver initially took off instead of stopping at the scene.
According to WSOC-TV, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to the 1100 block of West Sugar Creek Road that night and found an unresponsive man, who was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The station reports investigators tied the collision to a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and ultimately identified the driver as Leonardo Perez.
Investigation and arrest
CMPD detectives arrested 31-year-old Perez shortly after the crash and initially booked him on a slate of charges, as reported by WCCB Charlotte. The station's early reporting said he faced counts that included felony death by vehicle, felony hit-and-run causing death, driving without a license and reckless driving.
Plea and sentencing
Perez later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced in Mecklenburg County Superior Court to an active prison term of 20 to 33 months by Judge Bill Stetzer, WSOC-TV reported. That plea deal closed out the earlier felony death by vehicle and felony hit-and-run case that had been hanging over him.
Why it matters
The case lands in the middle of ongoing worries about pedestrian safety along busy arteries like West Sugar Creek Road, where high speeds, heavy traffic and foot crossings often collide in the worst possible way. It also underscores what can happen when drivers try to run from a crash instead of staying put and calling for help.
Recent Charlotte cases have brought similar multi-year active sentences after deadly hit-and-runs. In May 2026, a Beatties Ford Road hit-and-run case resulted in a 31 to 47 month term, a sign prosecutors are continuing to push for significant active time in these kinds of prosecutions.
Next steps
Court records show Perez's sentence has been formally entered. If there are any appeals or post-conviction challenges, they would move forward through the usual Mecklenburg County process. As of publication, public reporting did not include any statements from Harris' family or from the District Attorney's office.
