Serious and Fatal Crashes Climb in Charlotte Despite Drop in Overall Collisions

Charlotte, North Carolina — January 19, 2026 — According to WBTV, newly released data from Charlotte’s annual Vision Zero Report shows a troubling trend: although total vehicle crashes declined in 2025, collisions that result in severe injuries or death are becoming more frequent.

City data reveals that crashes involving life-altering injuries and fatalities have steadily increased over the past two years, signaling growing concerns about roadway safety.

Rising Serious Injury Crashes

Charlotte recorded the following number of crashes involving serious injuries over the last five years:

• 2021: 98
• 2022: 88
• 2023: 86
• 2024: 93
• 2025: 111

Fatal Crashes Continue to Trend Upward

Deadly crashes in Charlotte over the same period include:

• 2021: 68
• 2022: 90
• 2023: 62
• 2024: 73
• 2025: 81

According to the report, speeding and unsafe driving behavior were contributing factors in more than 60% of crashes that caused serious injuries or fatalities. Nearly 30% of these severe crashes involved pedestrians or bicyclists.

Community Concern After Deadly NoDa Hit-and-Run

Public concern has intensified following the death of 25-year-old Lance Sotelo, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood.

Charlotte City Council District 5 representative JD Mazuera-Arias, who personally knew Sotelo, said the tragedy underscores the urgent need for change.

He emphasized that many of Charlotte’s roadways were designed to move traffic quickly rather than safely and that this design philosophy is costing lives. Mazuera-Arias called for cooperation between developers, law enforcement, and city leaders to address infrastructure shortcomings as the city continues to expand.

Safety Improvements Implemented Across Charlotte

The Vision Zero Report outlines several traffic safety projects completed in 2025 aimed at protecting motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Crosswalk and Pedestrian Enhancements

• 2 new traffic signals.
• 5 pedestrian hybrid beacons.
• 10 rapid flashing beacons.
• 22 pedestrian leading intervals.

Speed Reduction Measures

• Speed limits lowered on 82 streets.
  • 5 arterial roadways.
  • 8 high-injury corridors.
  • 77 local and collector streets.
• 3 new school zone flashers.
• 35 additional speed humps installed.

Lighting and Visibility

• 521 new streetlights installed.
• 2,240 LED lighting upgrades completed.

Sidewalks and Bike Infrastructure

• More than four miles of new sidewalk and bicycle facilities added.

City leaders say these improvements represent ongoing efforts to reverse dangerous trends, but the rising number of serious and fatal crashes suggests more work remains.

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.