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A tragic hit-and-run incident in Charlotte has claimed the life of a 23-year-old woman, with authorities pointing to a repeat offender as the suspect. Police have identified the alleged perpetrator as Thomas Haynes, 46, who was taken into custody on Monday.
Haynes faces numerous charges, including second-degree murder, felony hit-and-run causing serious injury or death, and multiple misdemeanors related to hit-and-run and reckless driving.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that officers responded to a scene involving an abandoned Honda Odyssey and a Kia Soul at an intersection in east Charlotte on Thursday, March 12. According to police, Haynes, the driver of the Honda, allegedly fled the scene on foot following the collision.
The victim, identified as Sophie Klippel, tragically lost her life in the incident. The community is now grappling with this senseless loss, as Haynes awaits further legal proceedings.
Thomas Haynes, 46, faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly striking and killing 23-year-old Sophie Klippel in a Charlotte hit-and-run crash, police say. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department)
Authorities say that the driver of the Kia, Lena Klippel, 21, and passenger Kelly Klippel, 62, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A second passenger, Sophie Klippel, 23, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Thomas Haynes was charged in a deadly crash in Charlotte. (iStock)
Police said that a preliminary investigation found that Haynes ran a stop sign and collided with the Kia Soul.
Sophie Klippel was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said that “speed appears to be a factor” in the crash.
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg man with a history of repeat theft and weapons offenses is now facing a new set of felony charges, including a hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, according to jail records. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department)
Before the crash, Haynes had a slew of other arrests from 2024 through 2025, according to records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Earlier charges in February 2026 included possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of cocaine, and obtaining property by false pretenses.
A January 2026 arrest shows more than 20 charges largely tied to organized theft activity, including multiple counts of felony larceny, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, and fleeing to elude arrest.
His record also includes a 2024 charge of assault on a female.
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