On February 19, 2021 Kevin Samkia, 34, was formally charged with driving while impaired (DWI) over his alleged involvement in the fatal crash which occurred on February 4, 2021 on East WT Harris Boulevard Charlotte, NC. A Latino man identified as Estuardo Menchu Cocinero was killed in the wreck.
Kevin, who was injured during the collision was released from the hospital on February 19, 2021, and charged with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, and reckless driving.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m. on February 4, 2021, officers responded to 911 calls of a motor vehicle collision on East W. T. Harris Boulevard just south of Grier Road. When officers arrived, they located a 2016 Maserati and another sedan vehicle, both of which had been involved in the collision.
Authorities say the Maserati driven by Kevin was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver ran off the right side of the roadway. Kevin allegedly over-corrected which caused the Maserati to travel back onto the roadway, over the grassy median, and into the oncoming lanes of traffic where the Maserati collided head to head with the vehicle that Estuardo was in.
The collision caused both vehicles to catch fire.
Neither speed nor impairment are suspected to be contributing factors for Estuardo. However, officials say excessive speed and impairment are contributing factors for Kevin.
Kevin was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Estuardo was pronounced deceased on the scene.
