Robbery suspect charged after crashing into bus stop enclosure, killing 57-year-old

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man accused of robbing a west Charlotte Family Dollar has been charged with murder after police say he killed a 57-year-old man while trying to flee the crime scene.

The incident happened just before 8:30 a.m. on Beatties Ford Road and Dr. Webber Avenue.

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Police said they noticed a vehicle driving recklessly as it left a Family Dollar. After officers spoke with employees, they learned the driver, Tony Alphonso Damian Holmes, 30, had just stolen from the store.

The vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed on Beatties Ford Road before losing control of the vehicle. Holmes then crossed the outbound lanes before hitting a curb and bus stop enclosure, where 57-year-old Henry Miller was sitting.

Holmes then ran away from the scene but was arrested a short time later.

Officials said Miller was taken to a local hospital where he died.

A memorial is starting to grow in front of the bus stop where Miller was killed. People have been showing up throughout the day, bringing flowers and balloons in remembrance of him.

Bystander Ken Frazier told Channel 9 she saw the scene after the crash and was in utter shock.

“It looked like it might have skidded in there some kind of way, but it looked like the truck fell out of the sky on top of the bus stop,” she said. “I guess he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, you know.”

Holmes 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.

Police believe excessive speed and impairment were factors in the crash.

No additional information has been released.

A GoFundMe has been started to help with Miller’s funeral arrangements.

Return to this story for updates.

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