Khaliyal Burney Charged in Charlotte Bicycle Accident

Khaliyal Elijah Burney was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina after a bicycle accident that killed Nyomi Summers.

The 8-year-old girl died after a car struck her bicycle on Monmouth Drive near the 4600 block.

An 8-year-old girl died Saturday night after a car struck her bicycle in north Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Officers responded to the 4600 block of Monmouth Drive at approximately 6 p.m. after receiving a call for service. They found Nyomi Summers seriously injured in the road alongside her damaged bicycle.

Khaliyal Elijah Burney, 23, was arrested and charged with driving while license revoked, no liability insurance, failure to register, and fictitious registration. He was taken into Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office custody. The sedan Burney was driving was traveling south on Monmouth Drive when Summers' bicycle entered the road from a front yard, police said. The front left of the vehicle struck the front of the bicycle, ejecting Summers.

Summers was then taken to a local hospital where she later died. Burney, who remained at the scene with a passenger, was screened for impairment by officers with the DWI Task Force. He was not impaired at the time of the collision. Investigators are continuing to determine whether speed was a factor in the crash. This is an ongoing, active investigation.

What are the charges against Khaliyal Burney?

In cases involving criminal charges, such as this one, traffic safety analysts often point to the importance of a thorough investigation for both the criminal proceedings and any potential civil claims. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "When a driver is charged with a crime, that doesn't always mean the civil case is over. A civil case is distinct from a criminal case, and the victim's family can still pursue a separate claim for damages."

What happens next in the investigation?

legal analysts note that families who have lost a loved one in such tragic incidents have legal avenues to explore for justice. In bicycle accidents like this, families must hire independent legal counsel to independently investigate the accident and protect the family's rights. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, stated that "The family of Nyomi Summers may also be entitled to a wrongful death claim to seek recovery for damages. Obtaining an attorney is vital in ensuring that the family's rights are protected and that justice is served."

Under North Carolina's wrongful death statute, surviving family members of a person killed due to another party's negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. This includes funeral expenses, lost income, and the loss of companionship.

legal analysts note that families who have lost a loved one in tragic incidents have legal avenues to explore for justice. Obtaining an attorney is vital in ensuring that the family's rights are protected and that justice is served.

The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in North Carolina is two years from the date of death. It is important for families to understand their legal options and the timeline involved in pursuing such claims.

(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Accident News. Accident News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-599-0297 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state.)