CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- An innocent bystander was killed after a man fleeing from the Highway Patrol slammed into her car Saturday night.
Eddie Ellison is charged with involuntary manslaughter, carrying a concealed weapon and speeding.
The crash happened just after 10 p.m. Saturday at Parkwood Avenue and North Davidson Street just north of uptown Charlotte.
Ellison is accused of doing 90 mph in a 35 mph zone and slamming into a car driven by Latia Antoinette Winchester as a Highway Patrol trooper tried to get him to stop.
Winchester’s friend said she was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
"She was a gentle loving person," said Lakeisha Wilson. “I gave her a big hug and she walked out the door and it's the last time I seen her."
Wilson said her friend left her house around 9:30 p.m. Saturday and that was the last time she saw her. About 30 minutes later Winchester was killed.
"She was so pretty in red and black and she just had her hair done. She was happy," Wilson said. “I gave her a big hug and I told her I would see her later."
State troopers say a car driven by Ellison slammed into Winchester's car. Troopers say Winchester was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle. She died right in front of Ernest Walker's house.
"That was bad knowing that he had took someone's life for nothing," Walker said.
Wilson is mourning the death of her best friend who was taken much too soon.
"She didn't get a chance to have any kids but she loved kids," Wilson said.
Troopers say Ellison tried running from the scene and they had to use a Taser on him to control him.
The State Highway Patrol has charged Ellison with: Involuntary manslaughter, felony speeding to elude, felony hit and run, speeding 90/35, driving while license revoked, carrying a concealed weapon, resist, obstruct and delay and assault on a government official.
