CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Daniel Morgan, the truck driver charged in the death of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Mia Goodwin, pleaded guilty to all charges Thursday.
Morgan was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, felony failure to move over for stopped emergency vehicles and having a fictitious tag in connection with the December 2021 crash.
After pleading guilty to all the charges, he was taken into custody. He is expected to be sentenced to at least 16 or up to 29 months.
“It’s a very tragic case where there are no winners," Morgan's defense attorney Harold Cogdell said. "[Morgan] is looking forward to being able to put this chapter behind him and express remorse, and, as Judge Archer said, use his actions to advance the legacy and memory of Officer Goodwin."
Goodwin was hit and killed on Interstate 85 in northeast Charlotte in December 2021. She died at the scene. The six-year veteran of the force had recently returned to duty from maternity leave after the birth of her third child.
Three other CMPD officers were hurt while assisting North Carolina State Highway Patrol to close a portion of I-85 near West W.T. Harris Boulevard. A truck carrying grain spilled a sticky substance on the road that required a lengthy cleanup. Two trucks that were driving southbound collided, with Morgan's truck hitting Goodwin and the others.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said he respects the District Attorney's office decision to take the plea. Chief Jennings also spoke with other officers in Goodwin's division and hopes this will gain some closure and improve the police department moving forward.
“We’ve learned a great deal from this tragic accident and things we’ve put in place so we can continue to be better and continue to be safer when investigating collisions," CMPD Chief Jennings said.
Court records allege Morgan, who is from High Point, North Carolina, removed a device from his truck to try and hinder the investigation. State troopers said Morgan's trailer wasn't supposed to be operated at the time of the crash and had fictitious plates. Morgan was the manager of Prime Time Express LLC, according to North Carolina filings.
Morgan's defense teams said after the crash, an MRI revealed he had a tumor that was applying pressure to his optic nerve. Medical experts said that mass could cause dizziness, loss of vision or blackout. It's unclear if any of that was what led to the deadly crash.
Daniel Morgan spoke directly to Goodwin's loved ones in court on Thursday.
"So sorry; I can't tell you what happened, but I'm so sorry," Morgan said.
During Morgan's court appearance on Thursday, Mia Goodwin's parents made emotional statements to the courtroom.
Referring to Goodwin as "Daddy's little girl," Goodwin's father said, "never in my 56 years of living I would imagine being here giving an impact statement for my daughter."
"What's going to happen here today is not going to cover a loss ... from my crushed heart, I ask you for justice," Goodwin's mother said to the courtroom.
The maximum sentence Morgan could have received before the plea deal would have been more than 11 years.
“Nothing is going to bring Mia back home to her three kids and husband," attorney Allen Brotherton who represents the Goodwin family said. "The wounds are still very raw and the pain is very deep so we ask for continued prayers and support."
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect in this case because of high public interest.