On January 4, 2026, an 18-year-old driver, Ronny Briones-Melgara, lost control of a stolen Kia Forte on Shamrock Drive near Eastway Drive in east Charlotte, crashing into a telephone pole and tree. Passenger Anthony Santos died at the scene from the impact. Two others were injured in the single-vehicle wreck.
Charges Filed
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police recently charged Briones-Melgara with murder, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was hospitalized post-crash before arrest in March 2026; the murder charge stems from reckless driving causing death while operating the stolen car.
Investigation Notes
This follows CMPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit probe into the high-speed incident involving juveniles. No further details on court dates or passenger statuses released yet.
