Crime & Safety
Robbery Suspect Kills 1 In Bus Stop Crash After Fleeing: CMPD
Police say the suspect was weaving in and out of traffic before he crashed into a bus stop, killing a 57-year-old man sitting on a bench.
CHARLOTTE, NC — A man who police say robbed a north Charlotte Family Dollar store at gun point Thursday morning now faces second degree murder charges after he crashed into a bus stop enclosure while fleeing the scene, killing a 57-year-old man sitting on a bench inside it.
According to an account by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, officers spotted a black 1995 Dodge Ram speeding out of the parking lot of the Family Dollar store located at 3618 Beatties Ford Road around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
Employees inside the store told the officers the driver of the truck, who was later identified as 30-year-old Tony Alphonso Damian Holmes, had robbed the business at gun point.
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Holmes fled the scene headed inbound on Beatties Ford Road, speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. He struck a vehicle on Beatties Ford Road, and continued on at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the truck, crossed lanes of traffic, struck a curb and crashed into a bus stop enclosure.
Inside the enclosure was Henry Miller, 57, who was sitting on a bench waiting for a bus. Miller was transported to Atrium Health Main hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to his injuries, police said.
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Holmes fled the crash scene on foot, but was quickly apprehended, CMPD said. He was charged with armed robbery; misdemeanor hit-and-run; reckless driving; driving while impaired; felony death by vehicle;felony hit-and-run; and second degree murder.
"In addition to reckless driving, excessive speed and impairment are suspected to be contributing factors to this crash. Toxicology results for Holmes are pending," CMPD said.
CMPD said the investigation remains ongoing, and asked that anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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