Local

Friends, family mourn victim in Independence Blvd. deadly crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Friends and family gathered Wednesday night to honor 25-year-old Barnette White Jr., who was killed by a suspected drunken driver.

They met at Billingsville Elementary School in Grier Heights.

"He loved people," said his mother Paula Carr. "He was my only son. (He) Liked to make people laugh—just a nice gentleman."

Police said Daniel Roberts was speeding and driving drunk in a Saturn going through the intersection of East Independence Boulevard and Village Lake Drive when he hit a Toyota making a right turn onto outbound East Independence Boulevard.

White, a passenger in the back seat, was ejected from the Toyota and died.

"B.J. was only 25 years old," his great-aunt Helen Miers said. "We're hoping that everybody that has seen that on TV can realize and understand what the family is going through and try not to put another family through that."

Roberts was charged with DWI and police said he will be charged with felony death by vehicle and reckless driving.