Kelli Putnam’s dreams of a family end too soon after being struck by car in South End

Kelli Putnam had a new home with her boyfriend and their pets, close friendships and a job that gave her a sense of security. She was feeling settled enough in Charlotte that she talked of starting a family.

It was not to be. After spending part of the day at Bank of America Stadium to see the Carolina Panthers’ playoff game on Sunday, Putnam was walking on South Boulevard shortly after 5 p.m. She was headed toward Mac’s Speed Shop, where she had worked since moving to Charlotte about five years ago.

She stepped off the sidewalk near Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse to cross the street. A 2014 Audi S4 carrying five people was heading south in the right lane. The car was moving fast and the driver had been drinking, according to a report from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Putnam, 28, did not survive.

The driver, Gregory Allen Wheeling Jr., 30, is once again facing charges in Mecklenburg County for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Wheeling was found guilty of DWI in June 2010, with a blood alcohol level of .14 after a 2009 arrest, records show. The legal limit is .08. Wheeling temporarily lost his license, paid a $100 fine plus $292 in court costs, and performed 24 hours of community service, according to court records.

This time, the former Providence High and Eastern Carolina University student also faces a charge of aggravated felony death by vehicle.

Wheeling and his passengers survived without serious injury after the Audi veered to the right and finally struck a utility pole, police said.

In Hubbardsville, N.Y., Amy Johnson was making plans to say goodbye to the youngest of her three daughters on Tuesday.

With seven years between Putnam and her next oldest sibling, the mother and daughter became very close before she left home. Putnam had a way of forming close relationships wherever she went, Johnson said.

“She just liked to have fun,” Johnson said. “She was sarcastic. She had a great sense of humor.”

But there also was another side to her personality – one that made her caring and able to take things to heart, Johnson said.

Putnam was working as a waitress in Boston about five years ago when childhood friend Jessica Ingalls invited her to Charlotte for a visit. Putnam was getting over a breakup and thought it was a good idea, Johnson said. She found a job at Mac’s Speed Shop in South End and never went back.

“She loved the city,” Johnson said. “She liked the low-key people. She loved the weather. She said she would never move back to New York. She still called all the time. She made a point of coming up when she could.”

Putnam and her boyfriend of about four years had recently bought a home together, Johnson said. And Putnam had begun to talk about starting a family.

Putnam’s last trip home was in August, for a friend’s wedding, Johnson said. She stayed about a week, spending time cuddling with her cat, Bailey, while her mom cooked a favorite meal, cabbage and kielbasa sausage.

Johnson made a pasta salad with pepperoni and vegetableswhen a group of about 30 relatives came over to welcome Putnam home with a potluck dinner.

The last time they spoke was on Friday. Kelli couldn’t talk long and said she’d call back. On Sunday she was at the stadium, cheering for the Panthers with boyfriend Bronsyn Stewart, when she spoke briefly with her sister, Jessica Jason, Johnson said.

“My middle daughter called her out of the blue,” Johnson said. “She was at the Panthers game Sunday. She was having a great time. She said she would call my daughter later.” News researcher Maria David contributed.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Kelli Putnam’s dreams of a family end too soon after being struck by car in South End."