Fatal Crash Investigation in the Central Division
Published on October 19, 2026
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, Oct. 19, 2026) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles in the Central Division.
On Sunday, October 18th, at approximately 12 a.m., officers from the Central Division responded with the Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC to the 800 block of Brookshire boulevard (I-277) in reference to a three-vehicle collision that resulted in injuries.
Upon first responders’ arrival, they located a Toyota RAV4, a Hyundai Venue and a Chevrolet Equinox in the roadway with heavy front-end damage. The Toyota’s rear-end was on top of the bridge’s railing. In the front of the Rav4, first responders located Ms. Kati Covarrubias Barron driving and a female in the front passenger seat. Both females were conscious.
In the Hyundai Venue, they located a driver who was awake and alert. In the front passenger seat, they located Ms. Audrey Diamond Dawson, and she was unconscious as well as the left-rear passenger Ms. My’Angel Vonshay Robinson. The fourth passenger was located in the rear as well and was conscious.
The Chevrolet Equinox had three passengers that were all conscious at the scene.
All parties involved in the collision were transported to the hospital except for Ms. Robinson who was pronounced deceased on scene. Ms. Dawson was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Ms. Covarrubias Barron was driving the Rav4 on the wrong side of I-277 into oncoming traffic without her headlights on and while impaired. She did not have a valid license.
Ms. Covarrubias Barron was charged with driving while impaired, driving by a person less than 21 years after consuming alcohol, no operator’s license, second degree murder (X2), felony serious injury by vehicle (X2) and reckless driving.
Next of kin has been notified of Robinson’s and Dawson’s death.
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Division. Any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information concerning the crash, should contact Detective D. Leung at 704-432-2169, extension 6. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20261018-0018-02.
###