Tragedy After the Game: Young Black Man Killed in Hit-and-Run After Friends Abandon Him on Roadside Following Heated Argument
CHARLOTTE, NC — A tragic series of events unfolded over the weekend that has left a family in mourning and a community outraged. 22-year-old Mesiah Bell, a young Black man described by loved ones as kind, spirited, and full of life, was killed in a hit-and-run crash after being abandoned by his friends following a heated dispute. The incident occurred late Saturday night, shortly after the group had attended a local football game together.
According to authorities and witness accounts, Bell had gone to the game with several friends. What began as a night of fun and camaraderie quickly turned sour when tensions flared among the group. A verbal altercation escalated, and those he arrived with reportedly chose to leave him behind on the side of the road instead of resolving the disagreement or ensuring he got home safely.
With no transportation and his phone battery reportedly dead, Bell had no choice but to walk home alone in the dark along a poorly lit stretch of road.
At approximately 11:35 p.m., police received reports of a pedestrian struck on the 1200 block of [Road Name Pending Confirmation]. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found Bell critically injured. The driver who hit him did not stop and fled the scene, leaving Bell to die alone on the side of the road.
Paramedics transported Bell to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is currently investigating the case as a fatal hit-and-run and is asking the public for any information that may help identify the vehicle or driver involved. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras is being reviewed, and authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or noticed a suspiciously damaged vehicle in the area to come forward.
“Mesiah did not deserve to die like this,” said Tanya Bell, his mother, in a tearful statement. “He was left behind by people he trusted. He was alone, in pain, and scared. No one deserves that—not my son, not anyone.”
Family members say Bell was known for his upbeat attitude and loyalty to those he loved. He was a former high school athlete and had recently begun working toward a career in personal training. Those close to him are now demanding accountability—not only for the driver who struck him and fled, but also for the so-called friends who left him stranded after an argument.
Community activists and civil rights advocates have voiced concern that this tragedy highlights ongoing issues involving the treatment of Black men in society—how their lives are often devalued, not only in larger systemic ways but even within interpersonal relationships.
“We must reflect on how easy it was for his ‘friends’ to abandon him, and how easy it was for the driver to flee as if his life meant nothing,” said local organizer Damon West. “There has to be justice for Mesiah—not just legally, but morally.”
A memorial vigil is being planned at the site of the crash, where community members will gather to honor Bell’s life and call for justice. A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to help the family cover funeral expenses and has already received an outpouring of support.
So far, no arrests have been made, but police say the investigation is active and ongoing. They are urging anyone with information to contact the Charlotte Crime Stoppers tip line at 704-334-1600 or submit tips anonymously online.
As this case continues to unfold, Mesiah Bell’s family is left grieving not only a tragic death but the heartbreaking way in which it happened. For them, it’s not just about closure—it’s about ensuring this never happens to someone else.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.