Source: Suspect in deadly West Charlotte crash turns himself in…
Found on: 2022-08-23 23:26:16
Charlotte, NC.- A man accused of fleeing on foot from his overturned car after a crash that left another driver dead in west Charlotte on Sunday morning turned himself in to authorities hours later, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). ).
Police said the crash occurred around 1:08 a.m. Sunday when they responded to the 1800 block of Freedom Drive, where they found a Nissan Altima off the road.
The driver, 48-year-old William Morris Mitchell, was unconscious and unresponsive, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Medic.
RESEARCH
Officers found a 2016 Volkswagen Passat that was upside down in the road, but the driver had fled the scene prior to their arrival, witnesses told police.
Officers also found a Dodge Caravan that was damaged by the Volkswagen in a separate accident, CMPD said. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and was not injured.
Based on the preliminary investigation, police said the Volkswagen was traveling east on Freedom Drive in the westbound lanes of traffic. The driver attempted to change lanes to the eastbound side through a gap in the median.
fled
Police said the Volkswagen entered eastbound before rolling over and struck the Dodge, then collided with the Nissan, before coming to a stop about 400-500 feet from the point of initial impact. The driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, police said.
The Nissan veered off the road to the right, colliding with a utility pole and then a tree. Police said Mitchell was wearing his seat belt.
RECOGNIZED ACCIDENT
Around 6 am that same Sunday, CMPD received a call from a man who said he wanted to meet with officers so he could turn himself in for the hit-and-run.
Police said detectives met with 31-year-old Raheem Lashawn Diaz, who voluntarily agreed to speak.
After his interview with detectives, Diaz was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, misdemeanor hit-and-run, and reckless driving.
Police said speed and reckless driving were contributing factors to the crash.
CMPD said the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to call Detective Crum at 704-432-2169, extension 4 either Crime Stoppers to the 704-334-1600.