Fatal Hit and Run Investigation in the Central Division

Published on April 07, 2025

Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, April 7, 2025) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal vehicle collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred near the 700 block of W. 4th Street in the Central Division.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Central Division officers responded to an accident with personal injury call for service near the 700 block of W. 4th Street. When officers arrived on scene, they located an unresponsive pedestrian, Michael Joseph Janik, 64, laying on the shoulder of the roadway with life-threatening injuries. The vehicle that struck Mr. Janik fled the scene prior to officers arriving. MEDIC responded to the scene and transported Mr. Janik to Atrium Health where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Search (CSS) responded to the scene and began their investigation. 

The initial investigation indicates Mr. Janik was attempting to cross the 700 block of W. 4th Street outside of a designated crosswalk when he was struck by a silver 2017 Chevrolet Cruze that fled the scene after the collision.

With the assistance of the Real Time Crime Center, officers canvassed the area and located the Chevrolet Cruze with damage to the front of the vehicle, that was consistent with striking a pedestrian at 1516 Effingham Road in Metro Division. Officers located the driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, Sidney Deon Cain, 44, screened her for impairment and placed her under arrest for Felony Death by Vehicle and Felony Hit and Run.

Excessive speed and impairment are suspected factors for this collision for Ms. Cain.

This is an ongoing, active investigation. As further information develops it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.  Any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information concerning the crash, should contact Detective Sessoms at (704) 432-2169 Extension 3 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600. The public can also visit the Crime Stoppers website. The report number for this case is: 20250405-2125-00