A tragic incident in Charlotte has left a 23-year-old woman dead after a hit-and-run crash, allegedly involving a repeat offender, according to local police.
Thomas Haynes, aged 46, was taken into custody on Monday. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death, and several misdemeanors related to leaving the scene and reckless driving.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that deputies responded to a scene involving an abandoned Honda Odyssey and a Kia Soul at an intersection in east Charlotte on Thursday, March 12.
Haynes, who was driving the Honda, is accused of walking away from the crash site without rendering aid or reporting the incident.
The victim, identified as 23-year-old Sophie Klippel, tragically lost her life in the incident, as stated by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
In addition, authorities confirmed that Lena Klippel, aged 21, and Kelly Klippel, aged 62, who were in the Kia, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
A second passenger, Sophie Klippel, 23, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Thomas Haynes was charged in a deadly crash in Charlotte. (iStock)
Police said that a preliminary investigation found that Haynes ran a stop sign and collided with the Kia Soul.
Sophie Klippel was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said that “speed appears to be a factor” in the crash.
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg man with a history of repeat theft and weapons offenses is now facing a new set of felony charges, including a hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, according to jail records. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department)
Before the crash, Haynes had a slew of other arrests from 2024 through 2025, according to records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Earlier charges in February 2026 included possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of cocaine, and obtaining property by false pretenses.
A January 2026 arrest shows more than 20 charges largely tied to organized theft activity, including multiple counts of felony larceny, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, and fleeing to elude arrest.
His record also includes a 2024 charge of assault on a female.
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