Gastonia, NC : Gastonia man killed in Charlotte wreck on Tuesday, 17th April 2018

A Gastonia man was killed when a driver ordered to stop drove away from police through a red light and crashed into a Ford Econoline van, officers in Charlotte say.

Matthew Thomas Schwatka, who lived in Gastonia but was from Vancouver, Washington, was ejected from the vehicle and wasn’t wearing a seat belt, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. The incident occurred in the 11100 block of North Tryon Street around 9:40 a.m. Monday.

Police say they attempted to stop a gold Hyundai Genesis driven by Julius Brandon Lawson, who was traveling at a high rate of speed on University City Boulevard. Officers deactivated their emergency lights and didn’t pursue him, according to police.

Lawson fled onto I-485 Outer Loop and exited onto the North Tryon Street exit. He allegedly drove through a red light on the I-485 Outer Ramp at North Tryon Street before running into Schwatka’s yellow Stanley Steemer van, which was traveling northeast on North Tryon Street.

The Ford overturned, coming to a rest in the southbound lanes of North Tryon Street. Schwatka was ejected out the passenger-side window. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alcohol isn’t believed to have been a contributing factor to the collision. Police blame speed and a red light violation.

Lawson is charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving with a revoked license. He bonded out of the Mecklenburg County Jail after posting $7,000 bond, according to jail records.

Anyone who witnessed the wreck or has information about the case is asked to call CMPD Detective N.S. Bush at 704-432-2169 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Source :
Gastonia man killed in Charlotte wreck