Man charged with DUI after 73-year-old killed in crash on Independence Blvd. in east Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - One person is dead and another is seriously injured after an overnight crash in east Charlotte, according to Medic.

The collision happened on East Independence Boulevard – in the outbound lanes between Briar Creek and Wendover roads - and involved two cars.

When officers arrived at the scene, 73-year-old Iyasu Gebrehawariat was found unconscious and unresponsive before being pronounced dead by Medic.

The investigation shows that Gebrehawariat was driving a 2007 Honda Accord, traveling east on E. Independence Blvd. when he was involved in a separate crash that resulted in him striking the left side retaining wall and rotating to a final resting position in the left lane with the passenger door facing oncoming traffic.

Gebrehawariat then got out of his vehicle to see the damage and a 2016 Hyundai Sonata driven by 36-year-old Keith Duncan Jr. struck Gebrehawariat and his vehicle. Duncan was under the influence of alcohol and arrest warrants were obtained for felony death by motor vehicle. He will be served the warrants after being released from the hospital.

Speed and alcohol use are contributing factors for Duncan but no impairment is suspected for Gebrehawariat.

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