Traffic was backed up for 12 hours on Independence Blvd after a man was killed in a wrong way crash
Ilam Mateo Espinoza Castaneda was killed in a head on collision on Independence Blvd. Charlotte, NC. The fatal crash was on July 3, 2026. 32-year-old Mayra Castaneda is charged with felony death by vehicle.
At 3 a.m. Mayra was driving a vehicle in the wrong direction of travel on Independence Blvd. gong 80 mph in a 50 mph zone. Mayra crashed into another vehicle, hence killing Ilam.
Mayra was arrested on scene charged with reckless driving to endanger, driving without an operator’s license, death by vehicle, and speeding. Court documents allege she was driving while impaired.
Traffic on Independence Blvd was backed up for 12 hours after the crash. Traffic was being redirected onto Charlottetowne Road.
