The suspect slammed into the teen girl at 60 MPH, killing her and then leaving the scene
On November 3, 2025 Michael Himes, 54, was found guilty of the vehicular death of 17-year-old Maniche Wilson in Charlotte, NC. The suspect’s girlfriend Lauren Kerr helped him escape the scene. Follow Charlotte Alerts on Instagram.
The hit and run crash was on the morning of February 17, 2020. Michael was driving his Ford F-150 on Old Plank Rd. having just left Lauren’s home where he had been drinking and arguing with her.
Maciche was driving a Honda Accord and was stopped at a stop sign. As Maciche proceeded to turn left, the defendant driving approximately 60 mph in a 35 mph zone collided with the driver’s side door of the victim’s vehicle.
Both vehicles crossed the opposing lane of travel and came to rest in the grass on the side of Old Plank Rd. Maniche succumbed to her injuries at the scene and died.
Michael did not call 911 to report the accident. Instead, he got into Lauren’s car and she drove him away. Michael and Lauren were later located by detectives and arrested. Lauren was charged with aid and abet felony hit and run.
Michael was charged with manslaughter and hit and run, and other charges. Lauren was previously convicted for her role in this crime.
At the 2025 trial, The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Team tried Michael for
felony death by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving to endanger, hit
and run resulting in serious injury or death, and driving while impaired.
The jury found Michael guilty as charged. A sentence of 80-108 months in prison was handed down on Michael. Following that prison term, Michael will serve another term of 16-29 months in prison for the hit and run resulting in serious injury or death and the reckless driving to endanger charges.
