CMPD Officer Charged In Fatal Accident With Pedestrian

UPDATE: In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, CMPD Chief Putney announced that Officer Phillip Barker has been charged with Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle.

Officer Phillip Barker

Putney says investigators determined that James Short was crossing the street against a red light, while Officer Phillips was crossing through a green light. Investigators say Phillips was traveling roughly 100mph in a 35mph zone.

Victim: James Short

At this time, Putney says Phillips has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

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{Previous post on July 10, 2017}

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Saturday, three marked patrol vehicles were responding to a collision with injuries after a motor vehicle struck a building located at 810 E. Stonewall Street.

As the three CMPD vehicles were traveling on Morehead Street passing Euclid Avenue, one of the patrol cars, driven by Officer Phillip Barker, struck a pedestrian who had entered the roadway.

MEDIC responded to the scene and pronounced this individual deceased from the injuries he sustained in the collision.

The Major Crash Investigation Unit was called to the scene to conduct the investigation.  Their initial investigation has revealed that the pedestrian was crossing Morehead Street near the intersection of Euclid Avenue when he was struck by the marked 2016 Chevrolet Caprice patrol car.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old James Michael Short.  Officer Barker has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcomes of the criminal and internal investigations, which is standard procedure whenever an officer is involved in a fatal collision.

Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Steve Williams at (704) 432-2169 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.