Repeat Offender With 20+ Prior Charges Allegedly Runs Stop Sign, Kills 23-Year-Old and Flees on Foot

A 23-year-old Charlotte woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the Eastway Division after a repeat offender allegedly ran a stop sign and walked away from the wreck without alerting authorities, police said.

Thomas Haynes, 46, is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the March 12 collision.

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) obtained warrants for his arrest on March 24.

Haynes is also charged with the following:

• Felony Hit and Run

• Two counts of Misdemeanor Hit and Run

• Reckless Driving

According to CMPD, on March 12, at about 10:12 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle crash in the 1400 block of The Plaza. The Charlotte Fire Department and Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency (MEDIC) also responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers located a Honda Odyssey and a Kia Soul in the intersection of The Plaza and Hamorton Place.

The driver of the Honda, later identified as Haynes, reportedly walked away without calling for help.

The driver of the Kia, Lena Klippel, 21, and passenger Kelly Klippel, 62, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Another passenger, Sophie Klippel, 23, was pronounced dead on the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicated that Haynes ran a stop sign and collided with the Klippels’ car. Sophie Klippel was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. “Impairment is not suspected for Lena Klippel. Speed appears to be a factor in this case for the Honda,” CMPD said.

Haynes, who was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office after his arrest, had been arrested several times before.

On March 2, 2026, a warrant was issued against him for felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering. He was served with that warrant on March 23, too, and initially denied bond.

He was also charged with flee/elude arrest, breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, resisting a public officer, and possession of marijuana up to half an ounce. All but the flee/elude arrest charge were dismissed on March 6, according to court records reviewed by WBTV.

In a separate case, Haynes was arrested in February on weapons and possession of stolen goods charges and was indicted on March 9—just days before the crash.

Despite this, he was out on a $100,000 bond at the time of the incident.

The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not released additional details.