Bicyclist killed at busy Johnston Road intersection in south Charlotte

A bicyclist died after being hit by a car Christmas Eve at one of south Charlotte’s busiest intersections.

Police identified the bicyclist as Francis Robert Male Jr., 57. He was wearing a helmet.

Charlotte-Meckenburg Police said the driver’s speed played a factor, and the driver, Ashleigh Nicole Elliott, was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

She told police that she sped up in an attempt to enter the intersection before the traffic signal turned red, according to a CMPD news release. She showed no sign of impairment, police said.

Detectives are still trying to find out whether Elliott or Male had the red light, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police first reported the incident at 2:28 p.m., noting it occurred at the Johnston and Pineville-Matthews roads intersection.

This story was originally published December 24, 2017 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Bicyclist killed at busy Johnston Road intersection in south Charlotte."