Templeton with the Central Division responded to a disabled vehicle, a
Chevy Impala, on the outer loop of I-277 approaching Carson
Boulevard. The disabled vehicle, occupied by a driver and two
passengers, was parked on the left side of the roadway in the
breakdown lane, out of the travel lanes. Officer Templeton exited his
vehicle and began to assist the motorist. Moments later, a Toyota
Camry crashed into the rear of Officer Templeton's marked CMPD
cruiser; Officer Templeton was outside the vehicle at the time of the
crash. The Toyota Camry was occupied by a driver and three passengers.
Westover Division Officer Chris Kunz, who was off duty at the time,
was passing by in his personal vehicle and stopped to assist Officer
Templeton. Officer Kunz parked his vehicle and began to assist
Officer Templeton and the other motorists. Moments later, a Toyota
4Runner crashed into the right rear of the Toyota Camry which had
initially crashed into Officer Templeton's police cruiser. As a
result of this crash, the driver of the Toyota Camry, who was now
standing on the roadway talking to the officers, was struck and killed
by the Toyota 4Runner. Officers Templeton and Kunz were also struck
during this second collision and were transported to Carolinas Medical
Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Officer Kunz' unoccupied personal vehicle was then struck by a cab
driver travelling along I-277 at the conclusion of the first two
crashes; there were a total of three crashes during this incident. A
total of eight patients were transported to area hospitals for
treatment; the two officers, three passengers from the Toyota Camry
and three occupants of the Chevy Impala. There were a total of four
occupants in the Toyota 4Runner, none of which were transported to a
hospital. Officer Templeton has been with the CMPD since December 9,
1992; Officer Kunz has been with the CMPD since September 8, 2008.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Major Crash Investigations Unit is on scene
investigating the incident and will release additional information as
it becomes available. The deceased driver of the Toyota Camry has
been identified as William Alan Sweezer, DOB: 08/19/1957; his family
has been notified of his death.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call
Detective Oberer at 704-432-2169.
