CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A man riding a bicycle died in a hit-and-run accident after a vehicle crashed into him from behind on South Tryon Street, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Just before 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, a male cyclist was riding his bike on South Tryon Street in Steele Creek when he was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound. The crash happened past Carowind Boulevard and near Steele Creek Road.
When police arrived at the scene, they spotted a heavily damaged bicycle on the sidewalk and a man left unresponsive. The bicyclist, identified as Christopher Ryan Starr, was pronounced dead at the scene by MEDIC.
In the initial investigation, police say that Starr was riding near the curb in the right-hand lane, traveling south on South Tryon Street. Starr was also wearing a reflective vest and a flashing light on his helmet, according to police.
A driver, operating a Mazda CX-5, hit Starr from behind, sending the victim airborne and onto the sidewalk.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Christian Diaz Castillo, left the scene before police arrived. Police found Castillo and charged him with felony hit and run, and involuntary manslaughter.
Police said that speeding and reckless driving were factors in the crash. A toxicology report is still pending.
