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CMPD searches for driver after deadly west Charlotte hit-and-run

CHARLOTTTE, N.C. — A father headed to work Friday morning was hit and killed by a car just after getting off the bus in west Charlotte.

The crash happened around 7 a.m. on Wilkinson Boulevard near Boyer Street.

Police cruisers were blocking the scene, which was near a bus stop and across the street from a Goodwill.

Police said Carlington Jackson died at the scene.

When officers arrived, they found Jackson pinned underneath a 2005 Volvo S40. A 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 was near the scene.

A third vehicle was involved but fled before officers got to the scene, CMPD said. The vehicle that drove away, possibly a Nissan driven by a woman, was on Wilkinson Boulevard in the middle lane.

Jackson was walking along the crosswalk at the Boyer Street intersection.

The unknown vehicle had the green light when Jackson darted out into the street, a witness told the police. He did not have the right of way.

The vehicle hit Jackson, who landed in another lane. The Volvo struck Jackson, then the Mercedes.

The car that was possibly a Nissan kept going, police said.

The area was poorly lit, and the drivers of the Mercedes and Volvo were not impaired or speeding, police said.

Jackson’s friend Bryan Murray said this was a route he and Jackson took together every morning to get to work, but Friday they didn’t go together.

“We rode the bus together every morning and rode the bus every evening,” Murray said. “He was just all around good guy and he’ll be missed and I’ll pray for his family.”

Murray said Jackson was like a mentor. Another co-worker told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito Jackson was someone who they wanted to see go far in the company.

“He’s a father, he has children in Jamaica where he’s from,” Murray said. “He’s been in the country a little over a year as far as I’m concerned. He’s a great guy. Positive attitude, 24/7. Always making jokes, just a positive guy. Things like this shouldn’t happen to him, it’s taken a toll on us. It hurts.”

All the staff where Jackson worked was sent home early Friday to grieve the loss of their co-worker.

The outbound lanes of Wilkinson were blocked while police investigated and officials were urging drivers to avoid the area.

CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the incident.

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