Jeremy Trujillo was taken into custody Thursday and charged in the death of 43-year-old Niceforo Garcia-Rufino, according to Mecklenburg County jail records. He is being held on an $85,000 bond.

The collision occurred around 8:50 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of East Arrowood Road and Nations Ford Road, in the Steele Creek division of south Charlotte. Police said Trujillo struck Garcia-Rufino as he was crossing the street, then fled the scene, heading toward South Boulevard.

The following day, officers located the red Mercedes that Trujillo was driving during the collision. He was arrested and charged.

The intersection of East Arrowood and Nations Ford roads is a busy corridor in a growing part of south Charlotte, where pedestrian safety has become an increasing concern. The death adds to a grim tally of pedestrians killed on Charlotte streets, a toll that has prompted community calls for safer road design and stronger enforcement.

Details about what led to the collision, including whether speed or impairment were factors, have not been released. Police have not said whether additional charges are pending.

Garcia-Rufino's death is the latest in a series of fatal crashes involving pedestrians in the Charlotte area. Advocates for safer streets have repeatedly urged city leaders to prioritize infrastructure improvements at high-risk intersections, particularly in fast-growing areas like Steele Creek where wide, multi-lane roads can be dangerous for people on foot.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.