Charlotte, N.C. – Brian Battle, a 29-year-old resident of Charlotte, was tragically killed in a devastating accident on Thursday morning on the I-485 ramp at Mt. Holly Road. The incident, which also resulted in injuries to two police officers, has left the local community in shock.
The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers were investigating a stolen vehicle on the shoulder of the ramp. During the investigation, a motorhome driven by Robert Ewrin Reiser collided with two police vehicles, sending one of them into an embankment. Brian Battle, who was reporting the stolen vehicle, was fatally injured in the crash and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The collision also resulted in injuries to two CMPD officers. One officer, who was pinned inside their vehicle, was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A second officer sustained injuries but is expected to recover. Reiser, the driver of the motorhome, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. No charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation by the CMPD Major Crash Unit is ongoing.
The accident has caused significant disruptions in the area, with the I-485 ramp remaining closed as authorities continue their work at the scene. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes due to expected traffic delays.
The news of Brian Battle’s death has elicited an outpouring of grief on social media. Leslie Owens commented, "Tragic for all involved," while Marian Jones expressed her sorrow for the loss. The community is mourning the loss of Battle and anxiously awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
As the Charlotte community grapples with this tragedy, the CMPD is committed to uncovering the full details of the accident to ensure that justice is served.