CMPD charges 25-year-old driver in fatal east Charlotte hit-and-run on Albemarle Road
Arrest announced more than a week after pedestrian was struck
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have charged a driver in a fatal hit-and-run that investigators say occurred on Albemarle Road in east Charlotte, culminating in the death of 49-year-old Jeremiah Daniel Parrish.
Police said Parrish was struck on December 8, 2024, near Farm Pond Lane. He was transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where he later died. Investigators announced the case update on December 16, when the driver was arrested after Parrish’s death.
What police say happened and who is charged
Detectives identified Kenricka Janee Gist, 25, as the driver of a 2011 Ford Escape. Investigators allege the vehicle hit Parrish and continued on without remaining at the scene. Police said Gist returned roughly two hours later and spoke with officers.
After Parrish died, police arrested Gist and filed a felony hit-and-run charge. Investigators said speed and impairment are not expected to be contributing factors in the crash.
Victim: Jeremiah Daniel Parrish, 49
Location: Albemarle Road near Farm Pond Lane, east Charlotte
Date of crash: December 8, 2024
Charge announced: Felony hit-and-run (arrest reported December 16, 2024)
Why hit-and-run cases often hinge on post-crash decisions
Under North Carolina practice, fatal hit-and-run cases can turn on whether a driver remained at the scene, provided identifying information, and rendered reasonable assistance or promptly contacted emergency services. In many investigations, prosecutors and defense attorneys also focus on the timeline after impact, what the driver knew or should have known, and whether the driver took steps consistent with required reporting and assistance.
Investigators said speed and impairment are not expected factors, narrowing the case to the circumstances of the collision and the driver’s actions afterward.
What comes next
With charges filed, the case is expected to proceed through the Mecklenburg County court system, where prosecutors must establish the elements of the felony hit-and-run allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. Court records will ultimately determine initial release conditions, future hearing dates, and whether additional charges are sought as the investigation and review continue.
Police have not publicly detailed additional evidentiary findings—such as witness statements, surveillance video, vehicle damage analysis, or collision reconstruction results—that may be presented later in court proceedings.
For residents who travel Albemarle Road regularly, the arrest underscores the persistent safety stakes on high-traffic corridors where pedestrians, drivers, and turning vehicles share limited space—particularly at night and in areas without frequent controlled crossings.