CAHRLOTTE, NC — A portion of W.T. Harris Boulevard was closed for several hours while police investigated an accident that left one person dead and several injured. The multi-vehicle accident happened around 1:22pm on W.T. Harris between Sugar Creek Road and Old Statesville Road.
Police say one of the drivers involved, 37-year-old Gregory Pettis, was pronounced dead on the scene. Five other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
According to investigators, Pettis was driving a 2005 Chrysler 300 when he attempted to pass a truck pulling a trailer by using a left turn lane on W.T. Harris Boulevard. Pettis reportedly clipped the trailer and hit a raised curb before continuing to accelerate into oncoming traffic.
Police say Pettis continued driving into oncoming lanes at speeds of around 80 to 100 mph before colliding with a 2014 Freightliner truck that was making a U-turn at the intersection of Davis Lake Parkway.
Pettis’s vehicle went under the trailer and collided head-on with a 2009 Toyota Camry waiting at the stop light after coming out of the other side. The Chrysler then proceeded down an embankment before coming to a rest, while the Camry was forced backwards into a 2016 Nissan Altima.
All drivers and passengers involved in the accident were seat belted, according to police, and alcohol or drug use is not suspected for the drivers of the Freightliner, Toyota, or Nissan.
Police say speed, driving the wrong way/left of center, and failing to yield the right of way on the part of Pettis resulted in the accident. Investigators are also trying to determine whether alcohol or drug use were factors.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crash Investigations Unit at 704-432-2169.
