CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One person was killed and two others were hurt when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers investigating a stolen vehicle were hit by a passing motor home exiting Interstate 485 on Thursday, detectives said.
The incident happened on the ramp from the outer loop of I-485 to Mount Holly Road around 10 a.m. CMPD closed the ramp to Exit 14 for the investigation, which involved multiple agencies.
Two officers were investigating a report of a stolen car when they were hit by the passing motor home, CMPD said. One of the police cruisers rolled down an embankment, suffering heavy damage. One of the officers was pinned inside his cruiser and had to be extricated. A CMPD spokesperson said the officer was alert and in "good spirits" despite suffering some internal injuries. He's expected to make a full recovery. A second officer was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The person who died, identified as 29-year-old Lavon Brian Battle, died at the scene. Battle, who was from Elm City, North Carolina, was the person who reported the stolen vehicle to police. The driver of the motor home was injured in the crash as well. It's unclear if that person will face charges.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings issued the following statement:
"Our hearts go out to the family of the person killed in today’s crash on I-485. While we investigate the circumstances leading to this tragic moment, our thoughts are also with the CMPD officers who responded and the one who was injured at the scene. Each day, our men and women put themselves in danger to protect and serve the citizens of Charlotte. It’s a challenging role but one we are proud to uphold. We are thankful our officer is expected to make a full recovery."
The Char-Meck Fraternal Order of Police shared a photo of the cruiser that rolled down the embankment on Facebook.
According to a police report, multiple vehicles were stolen from Centurion Eagle Auto Transport Southeast and Toyota Distributors in Elm City. The report says the vehicles were stolen from a business Smith Corners Boulevard in north Charlotte.
During a news conference on Thursday, CMPD said the person who called 911, identified as Battle, contacted police when he spotted a stolen car. It's unclear how Battle knew the car was in that location before calling police. While he was talking to officers on the shoulder, the RV exited I-485 and hit the police cars and Battle.
West Charlotte crash involving CMPD officers
Officers escorted an ambulance to Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center after the crash. In addition to the crash scene, there was a large police presence at the hospital, which is Charlotte's Level 1 trauma center and typically reserves high-priority, emergency patients.