704-377-3737
Charlotte, North Carolina — October 20, 2026 — According to WCNC, two people lost their lives, and five others were injured in a devastating wrong-way collision. Police have charged a 19-year-old woman with multiple felonies, including two counts of second-degree murder, following allegations that she was driving while impaired.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight on the Brookshire Freeway Inner Loop near Independence Boulevard. Emergency responders arrived to find several people injured following a collision involving a Toyota RAV4, a Hyundai, and another vehicle.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police identified the two people who died as Audrey Diamond Dawson and My’Angel Vonshay Robinson.
According to investigators, Kati Gissel Covarrubias-Barron, 19, was driving a 2017 Toyota RAV4 inbound on Independence Boulevard when she made a U-turn and began traveling against traffic. Surveillance video reportedly showed the Toyota making the maneuver without its headlights illuminated.
Authorities believe Covarrubias-Barron continued approximately one mile in the wrong direction before colliding with a Hyundai traveling in the middle lane of I-277.
Robinson, who was riding in the Hyundai, died at the scene. Dawson, another passenger seated in the front of the vehicle, was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The Hyundai’s driver and another passenger sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalized. Three additional individuals suffered injuries that police described as non-life-threatening. Investigators reported that another vehicle became involved when it subsequently struck the Hyundai.
Family members are mourning Dawson, a North Carolina A&T graduate and mother of a 3-year-old child. Her aunt described her as an ambitious, intelligent, and outgoing young woman who enjoyed traveling and doing nails. The family emphasized that people should remember Dawson’s life and accomplishments beyond the circumstances of the collision.
Police reported that officers suspected Covarrubias-Barron of impairment when they encountered her at the hospital. According to CMPD, she acknowledged consuming approximately five mixed alcoholic drinks within two hours.
Investigators also said Covarrubias-Barron did not have a valid driver’s license.
She now faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, and one count of reckless driving with disregard.
A court appearance was scheduled for Monday following the collision.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Covarrubias-Barron have not been proven in court.
At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our experienced Charlotte personal injury attorneys are committed to helping crash victims and their families navigate the legal process.
Your Injury, Our Fight. How can we help you take a stand? Call 704-377-3737 or contact us online.
Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident.
If you find any incorrect details, please contact Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business.
The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
