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Outbound Wilkinson Boulevard remains closed today in Charlotte's West End district because of a broken sewer pipe and storm drain.
The construction also affects a portion of Morehead Road.
Crews have been working since Wednesday to repair the pipe and drain, in the 2300 block of Wilkinson Boulevard, at Morehead Street. Authorities had tried to keep one outbound lane open, but they were forced Thursday to close all the lanes.
At last report, crews hope to have the work finished by late Friday afternoon.
Police digest
Mecklenburg County Charlotte
A motorcyclist who reportedly was stopped by police a few hours earlier died late Wednesday when his bike wrecked on southbound Interstate 85.
The wreck happened around 11:45 p.m. in the University City area of north Charlotte.
According to an N.C. Highway Patrol report, several motorcyclists were riding together on I-85 when one driver lost control after “popping a wheelie.”
The motorcycle slammed into a power pole near University City Boulevard, and the driver was killed.
Two Charlotte TV stations reported that the victim was stopped earlier Wednesday night by Concord police and ticketed for not having proper certification to drive a motorcycle. That certification is earned by completing a course on safe driving.
The name of the victim has not been released. -- Steve Lyttle
Catawba County
Hickory
A 43-year-old resident of an assisted living center has been charged with killing a 70-year-old who also lived at the facility.
Hickory police identified the suspect as Dennis Edward Scherzer. He was jailed without bond in Catawba County and is scheduled to make his first court appearance in the case Friday.
Police say Roland Simmons' body was found near a bench outside the Walden House Assisted Living Center, on Third Avenue S.E. He had been beaten, according to police. -- Steve Lyttle
Anderson, S.C.
A 22-year-old has been charged after a bundle of more than 100 sparklers exploded, causing a teen to lose his hand and severely injure his legs.
Multiple media outlets reported Thursday that Robert Stephen Spicer of Easley faces up to five years in prison on a felony charge of making an incendiary device.
Authorities say the explosion happened July 2 when more than 100 sparklers were tied together and ignited.
Fifteen-year-old Ryan Stancell of Anderson County remains in a Greenville hospital after losing a hand and sustaining serious injuries to his legs. -- Associated Press
