Icy Windshield Blamed In Wreck That Killed Pedestrian: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC --Ice on a windshield is being blamed for a Monday morning wreck in southeast Charlotte that left a 61-year-old pedestrian dead, Charlotte police said.

Daniel Wheeler was attempting to cross Monroe Road around 6 a.m. Oct. 30 when he was struck by a 2005 Nissan Quest driven by Grigory Vasil Kolesnik, 54. Wheeler was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

CMPD investigators determined that Wheeler was crossing Monroe Road mid-block, outside of a crosswalk, when he was struck by Kolesnik’s vehicle, which “had a vision obstruction due to an icy windshield, which contributed to the crash,” CMPD said.

Kolesnik has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and reckless driving.

The busy intersection of Monroe Road at Sardis Road was closed until 8:40 a.m., the Charlotte Observer reported.

According to WBTV, Wheeler was an employee of McDonald's, located at the intersection and was killed when he was crossing Monroe Road with a coworker. He was also a veteran and volunteer firefighter, his family told the station.

CMPD asks that anyone with information about this case contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story has been updated.

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