CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A wheelchair-bound man has died after he was hit by a car in east Charlotte over the weekend.
Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were called around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday to 4225 Shamrock Drive where 61-year-old Michael Ellis and his damaged wheelchair were found laying in front of a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado Van.
Ellis was transported by Medic to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment. He later died after suffering with serious injuries.
Police say the driver of the Chevrolet van, 55-year-old Reginald Sutton, was traveling northwest on Shamrock Drive. As he approached the intersection of Crestmont Drive, Ellis attempted crossing Shamrock Drive. Sutton failed to see Ellis who was in a wheelchair and struck him with the front left corner of his vehicle as it crossed the roadway. There were no marked crosswalks or pedestrian crossing signals in the area.
Ellis was thrown from the wheelchair onto the roadway. Sutton came out of his vehicle to check on Ellis and called 911.
Authorities say Sutton was not impaired at the time of the crash. They also say speed and alcohol did not play a role in the wreck.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Officer Jamieson at 704- 432-2169 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
