CHARLOTTE, NC — Police have charged Charity Lachele Ross in connection to Friday night’s accident that left 18-year-old Sierra Ratliff dead.
The accident happened around 8:36pm on October 26th. CMPD officers responded to the 7500 block of East Independence Boulevard where a pedestrian had reportedly been struck.
Arriving officers found Ratliff lying in the street unresponsive with several vehicles stopped at the scene. Medic pronounced her dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation has revealed Ratliff was attempting to cross East Independence Boulevard near the intersection of Krefeld Drive.
She stepped into the path of a 2004 Lexus RX330 traveling west on East Independence Boulevard in the left lane.
The Lexus, driven by Ross, 32, struck Ratliff on the front driver’s side corner. The impact knocked her into the eastbound lanes of East Independence Boulevard.
Ratliff was then struck by a 2017 Honda Accord traveling east on East Independence Boulevard. Following this impact, Ratliff came to rest in the left eastbound travel lane of East Independence Boulevard.
Ratliff was then struck by a 2016 Ford Focus, a 2016 BMW X5, a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, all traveling east on East Independence Boulevard. No drivers or passengers in these vehicles were injured.
Police say Ross immediately brought her car to a stop, activated her emergency flashers and called 911 to report the accident. As she was speaking with 911, she was struck from the rear by a Ford Expedition. There were no injuries in this collision.
Investigators say Ratliff was wearing dark clothing and was crossing mid-block between side streets. There were no marked crosswalks or pedestrian crossing signals in the area and the street is not well lit.
The crash is still under investigation. All drivers involved were screened for impairment on scene with no impairment detected for any driver.
Ross reportedly turned herself in on Wednesday and was charged with Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle, Speeding, and Wreckless Driving.
Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Oberer at 704- 432-2169 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
