THE LATEST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Police have charged the 17-year-old driver that lost control and flipped the vehicle that resulted in the death of a Garinger high school student, according to a news release.
Police took the 17-year-old into custody on Friday, December 15th and charged them with the following:
- Speeding
- No Operator’s License
- Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle
The investigation into the crash found that the Mazda 3 driver was speeding when they lost control of the vehicle. This caused the vehicle to veer to the left side of the roady, go airborne and flip. Allisson Mejia, 15, died as a result of the crash. Three additional passengers sustained serious injuries.
This crash remains an active investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Police say 15-year-old Allisson Mejia, a student at Garinger High School, died Sunday from the injuries she sustained in a crash in east Charlotte that also injured several other students.
The crash happened on Thursday, December 7th just before 9:30am on Shamrock Drive. At the time of the crash, three Garinger High School students were transported to Atrium Health-Main with serious injuries and Mejia was transported with life-threatening injuries, according to a medic.
During their initial investigation, CMPD says a 2010 Mazda 3 was traveling westbound on Shamrock Drive when the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway, went airborne and flipped. Three of the passengers were unrestrained and ejected from the vehicle, according to CMPD.
The driver was wearing a seatbelt and remained in the vehicle until it came to rest. Police say Mejia died Sunday, December 10th at 4:45pm from the injuries she sustained in the crash.
CMPD detectives are currently investigating the crash. Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call Detective Kupfer at 704-432-2169, Ext. 1.
The principal at Garinger High School sent the following message to students, parents, and staff:
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that one of our students, Allisson Manrique Mejia age 15, died last night. Allisson suffered injuries in a car accident last week and unfortunately medical intervention was not able to save her life. We are heartbroken by this loss of life and we grieve with her family and friends. We ask that you keep Allisson’s family, friends, and our students and staff in your thoughts and prayers.
Death can be difficult for us to understand, especially when it is sudden. We may feel a variety of emotions: shock, sadness, or confusion. What is most important is that we care for and support each other. The Crisis Response Team at Garinger has made plans to respond to the emotional needs of all students. Counselors will be highly visible throughout the building and available to assist with grief counseling.
If your family has experienced a death or similar loss recently,Allisson’s death may bring up feelings about that death. While this may be a normal experience, we want to provide assistance if needed. Please make your student’s teacher or our counselors aware if there is any additional information the school should be aware of so we can provide the support your student needs. This difficult time can be stressful and confusing. A sudden death may be disturbing to you as well as to your student. It is for this reason that we especially want you to know of our care and support.
Thank you for your continued support of Garinger HS.
