CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
A man killed in a north Charlotte crash was driving recklessly nearly 100 mph on the wrong side of the road when he caused the wreck, police said.
The four-car crash shut down WT Harris Boulevard for hours Thursday afternoon.
Police said that around 1:30 p.m., Gregory Pettis, driving a 2005 Chrysler 300, went underneath a moving truck and caused a chain reaction of crashing cars.
Police said 37-year-old Gregory Pettis clipped a trailer, but instead of stopping, he hit a curb and accelerated into oncoming traffic.
Pettis hit a box truck that was making a U-turn before hitting two other cars.
Pettis died at the scene and four others suffered minor injuries.
A woman who was involved in the wreck, but was not seriously injured, said the car that hit the moving truck was driving on the wrong side of the road when it crashed.
“I wasn't sure if I was dead or alive,” said Natalie Frederick. “He was coming down the wrong side of the street. As the big truck was turning, he collided into it."
W.T. Harris Boulevard lanes are back open between Old Statesville Road and West Sugar Creek Boulevard.
==============================
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
One person was killed and five others injured in a crash involving multiple vehicles in north Charlotte Thursday afternoon.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, officers responded to the 4600 block of W. WT Harris Blvd in reference to a four-vehicle crash.
Officers discovered a 2014 Freightliner moving truck, a 2016 Nissan Altima, a 2009 Toyota Camry, and a 2005 Chrysler 300 that had all been involved in a crash.
Gregory Scott Pettis, the Chrysler driver, was pronounced dead at the scene by MEDIC.
A total of five other individuals involved in this crash were taken to area hospitals.
Officials responded to the scene to investigate and determined that Pettis was driving on W. WT Harris Blvd in the left lane behind a truck with a trailer attached to it.
Pettis then moved into a left turn lane, striking the trailer as he sped past the truck and trailer.
Police say he did not make a left turn but continued to accelerate, hitting a curb then crossing over into the northwest lanes of the road.
Pettis continued to drive the wrong way at approximately 80-100 miles per hour.
He then drove through the intersection of Davis Lake Parkway and struck the Freightliner truck that was making a U-turn at a green light on W. WT Harris Blvd.
Pettis's car struck the Freightliner on the left side and drove underneath the truck before it came out on the right side.
After the car came from underneath the truck, it struck a Toyota Camry head-on. The Toyota was waiting at a red light.
After hitting the Toyota, Pettis's car ran off the road onto the shoulder where it came to a stop.
The Toyota was forced backwards and struck a Nissan Altima, The Nissan was waiting at the red light behind the Toyota.
Four people in the Freightliner were treated for minor injuries and were taken by MEDIC to local hospitals.
The passenger in the Toyota was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
All drivers and passengers in this crash were wearing seatbelts.
Alcohol or drug use is not suspected for the drivers of the Freightliner, Toyota, and Nissan.
Speed, driving the wrong way/left of center and failing to yield the right of way are all contributing factors for the Chrysler in this crash.
Alcohol and drug test results for Pettis are pending.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives at 704-432-2169.