Derius Barton, 19, was arrested on May 18, 2020 after allegedly killing Pedro Garcia, 87, during a car wreck on Cello Court Charlotte, NC.
Shortly before 8:25 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020, officers responded to reports of a motor vehicle collision on Cello Court.
Officers located a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer which had struck a residence occupied by four people. One of the occupants of the residence, Pedro Garcia sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased on scene by medic.
Two additional occupants of the residence sustained minor injuries, and the remaining occupant was uninjured. The two occupants of the Trailblazer were also uninjured. Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit, officers with the DWI Task Force, Motor Unit and Crime Scene Search responded to investigate.
The initial investigation has revealed Derius was allegedly operating the Chevrolet Trailblazer and traveling east on Camp Stewart Road when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and ran off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle continued and struck two fences, passed through two yards and struck the rear of the residence at Cello Court.
The Trailblazer passed through the rear of the residence and then struck Pedro, who was in the living area of the home near the rear of the residence.
Driving too fast for conditions is suspected to be the proximate cause of the crash. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this collision. Derius was arrested and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and cited for driving too fast for conditions.
