Fatal Crash Investigation in the South Division
Published on August 09, 2023
Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, August 9, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash in the South Division.
On Sunday, August 6, 2023, at approximately 10:09 p.m., South Division officers responded to a motor vehicle crash with injuries call for service in the 6600 block of Pineville-Matthews Road. Upon arrival, officers located a 2010 Acura TL off the right side of the road with heavy passenger side damage and a 2005 Infiniti G35 with heavy front-end damage. The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC also responded to the scene. MEDIC transported the passenger of the Acura to Atrium Health Main. The passenger, Sheronda La Shanetta Woody Wilson (DOB: 04/03/1990), later succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the crash a short time after her arrival at the hospital.
Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit along with officers from the DWI Task Force and Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to conduct their investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Infiniti, Gregory Joseph Rhoads (DOB: 11/17/1996), was traveling at a high rate of speed on Pineville-Matthews Road. A CMPD officer observed the speeding vehicle and activated emergency equipment in order to catch and conduct a traffic stop. Just prior to the CMPD officer catching up to the speeding vehicle, the speeding vehicle, traveling southwest on Pineville-Matthews Road, struck the passenger side of the Acura, driven by Kenneth Devon Faison (DOB: 08/04/1992). The impact of the crash caused the Acura to slide off the right side of the roadway into nearby brush. Mr. Faison, Mr. Rhoads and a passenger in the Infiniti were all transported to Atrium Health Main with serious injuries following the crash.
At no time was the CMPD officer in pursuit of Mr. Rhoads’ speeding vehicle.
Mr. Faison and Mr. Rhoads were both screened for impairment and were both determined not to be impaired at the time of the crash.
Ms. Sheronda La Shanetta Woody Wilson’s next of kin has been notified of her death.
Excessive speed, failing to stop for a police vehicle, and running a red light are contributing factors in this crash.
On Monday, August 7, Mr. Rhoads was released from the hospital where he had been placed under arrest on an Involuntary Manslaughter warrant obtained by Detectives earlier that day.
Upon his release from the hospital, Mr. Rhoads was transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown (601 E. Trade Street) where he was interviewed by detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit. At the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Rhoads was transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the following:
- Murder (2nd Degree)
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury (Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Felony)
- Possession with Intent to Sell and Distribute (Felony)
- Maintaining a Place to Keep a Controlled Substance (Felony)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
The CMPD’s Internal Affairs Office also responded to conduct their own administrative investigation.
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 Kupfer at 704-432-2169, extension 1. 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: 20230806-2209-02.
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