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Police arrest man accused of hitting, killing pedestrian near Steele Creek

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man is in custody after police said he hit and killed a pedestrian with his car Wednesday night near Steele Creek.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they responded to a hit-and-run call in the 16200 block of Shopton Road West around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and found a pedestrian lying on the side of the roadway in a grassy area upon arrival.

The pedestrian, identified as 49-year-old Michael James Denny, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to officials, the section of Shopton Road West where Denny was killed is not lit with overhead street lights and there are no sidewalks on either side of the roadway.

Investigators said it was determined that Denny was walking in the roadway when 44-year-old Timothy Craig Medley struck him with his 2006 Kia Sorento and drove away from the scene.

(Timothy Craig Medley)

Resident Jackie Sheitzer said she knew something was wrong when she saw the flashing lights right outside her neighborhood.

"When we came home, the roads were blocked. Officers had all the roads blocked off. It was just sad, you just knew something wasn't good," Sheitzer said.

Police said they located Medley near his car and arrested him after they found him to be drunk while being interviewed.

Authorities said the witness told them that he was driving to a local store when he saw Denny walking along the side of the street. On his way back from the store, the witness said he saw a shoe in the road and a Kia Sorento broken down a short distance away on Pilcher Drive with significant damage to it. The witness said he realized what had happened and returned to where he saw the shoe, found the victim and called 911. Police said without the witness’s willingness to get involved, the suspect may have gotten away with the crime.

Medley has been transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and has been charged with felony death by vehicle and felony hit-and-run.

Officials said alcohol was a factor in the crash, but speed was not.

Sheitzer said she hopes the crash will prevent more tragedies from happening throughout the rest of the week.

"I think it's a sober reminder to all of us, just to be aware," Sheitzer said.

CMPD officials said the incident remains under investigation and that anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Detective Reibold at 704-432-2169, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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