Kyle Kubiak Killed in Charlotte Pedestrian Accident
Jared Rodriguez charged with felony death by vehicle after fatal hit-and-run on Woodlawn Road
Kyle Kubiak, 34, was killed in a pedestrian crash at the corner of Nations Crossing Road and Woodlawn Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Jared Rodriguez, 22, faces charges of felony death by vehicle, felony hit-and-run and reckless driving. Court records show he is being held under a $1.5 million bond following his arrest.
The driver did not stop. Investigators said the black Honda fled the scene and traveled approximately two-tenths of a mile before running a red light at East Woodlawn Road and Old Pineville Road, where it collided with a Toyota Corolla. An officer witnessed the second collision. Police determined Rodriguez was impaired at the time of the incidents. Kubiak was attempting to cross the street when he was struck. He was pronounced dead following the impact.
The police department continues to investigate the fatal pedestrian collision.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 2023 Crash Facts, around 250 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes that year, a decrease from 269 in 2022.
How will the criminal charges impact the investigation?
While the criminal case against the driver proceeds, independent investigators will examine the intersection's traffic controls and the sequence of events leading to the fatal impact.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Every fatal pedestrian collision leaves behind scattered pieces of evidence, capable of vanishing within days without someone moving quickly enough to preserve everything properly. Skid marks fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and memories among witnesses start slipping almost immediately after a traumatic event."
"An attorney often races against shrinking timelines, working with investigators to lock down critical details very fast," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What happens next for the victim's family?
Families who lose a loved one to an impaired driver often face overwhelming emotional and financial burdens while navigating the justice system.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Speed plays a decisive role in pedestrian collision severity, making accurate vehicle velocity reconstruction essential after serious incidents," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel assists affected families by retaining independent forensic experts, analyzing physical skid marks, evaluating impact locations, and reviewing available insurance policies to determine how coverage applies during complex loss claims."