Driver charged with DWI after hitting, killing man on I-277, police say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man is dead after being hit by a car early Saturday morning on Interstate 277 in Charlotte, police said.

The crash that happened around 2:30 a.m. and had part of the I-277 outer loop blocked from Graham Street all the way to Interstate 77.

Police said Wilkins was crossing the Brookshire Freeway in a poorly lit area and Rhodes was unable to avoid hitting him.

When officers got to the scene, they found a Toyota Camry with heavy front-end damage and 25-year-old Deonte Wilkins unresponsive in the roadway.

Wilkins was confirmed dead and the driver, 30-year-old Tucker Rhodes, remained at the scene after the crash.

After interviewing with police, authorities said Rhodes was arrested and charged with DWI.

Excessive speed does not appear to be a contributing factor to the crash.

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