Fatal Crash Investigation in the North Division
Published on May 06, 2023
Charlotte, N.C. – (Saturday, May 6, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash in the North Division.
On Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at approximately 02:45 a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of Old Statesville Road in reference to a motor vehicle collision with injury. Upon arrival, officers located a 2007 Lexus GS350 off the right side of the roadway with extensive damage that had struck three parked vehicles. They also located a tractor trailer with dual trailers sitting in the roadway with damage to the front trailer. The Charlotte Fire Department and Medic also responded to the scene. Medic pronounced the driver of the Lexus, James Williams (DOB:08/01/1992) deceased on scene.
Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, and Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to conduct their investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the Lexus, Mr. Williams, was operating the Lexus West on Old Statesville Road at a high rate of speed. The tractor trailer, a Freightliner Truck with two trailers being operated by J Alan Jones (DOB: 08/27/1963), pulled out of a business at the 6600 block to travel West on Old Statesville Road. When the truck turned, the Lexus came through at a high rate of speed and went under the left side of the first trailer and out the right side before continuing off the right side of the road and striking a fence and three parked vehicles on a used car lot. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured and was wearing a seatbelt. Mr. Williams was not wearing a seatbelt, but airbags did deploy.
Speeding and impairment are suspected to be contributing factors in this crash for Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams’s next of kin has been notified of his death.
The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office. Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Mercedes at 704-432-2169, extension 5. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers. For additional information about this crash, please refer to the report: 20230506-0245-03.
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