A former Queens University athlete and current MBA student was killed Wednesday night when an unlicensed driver ran a red light and struck him at an intersection in east Charlotte, then fled the scene.
Lance Andreas Jesus Sotelo, 25, was crossing at the intersection of 36th Street and The Plaza around 5:50 PM on January 14 when Q’Laundra Hood, 28, driving a white Chevrolet Impala, ran a red light and hit him. Hood drove away from the scene but turned herself in Thursday.
Mecklenburg County charged Hood with felony hit-and-run, involuntary manslaughter, no operator’s license, and failing to stop at a red light, according to WBTV.
Sotelo was a member of Queens University’s Men’s Track and Field and Cross Country teams. As an undergraduate, he served as president of the Student Government Association and was selected to deliver remarks at the 2023 Commencement Ceremony. He was completing his Master’s degree in business administration while serving as a graduate assistant in Student Engagement.
No family should have to go through this.
Red Light Violations Establish Clear Liability in North Carolina
When a driver runs a red light and kills someone, that’s not just negligence – North Carolina law treats traffic violations as negligence per se.
Running a red light violates N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-158. When a driver violates a traffic law and that violation causes death, the violation itself can establish breach of the duty of care under negligence per se. This makes wrongful death cases involving red light violations significantly stronger than cases where liability is disputed.
In this case, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police documented that Hood ran the red light before striking Sotelo. That documented traffic violation becomes powerful evidence in a wrongful death claim.
Operating Without a License Shows Reckless Disregard
Hood was charged with operating without a license. This isn’t a minor technical violation – it’s evidence of reckless disregard for public safety.
When someone drives without a license, they’re making a conscious decision to operate a vehicle illegally. Combined with running a red light and fleeing the scene after killing someone, this shows a pattern of dangerous decision-making.
In North Carolina wrongful death cases, evidence of reckless conduct supports claims for punitive damages under Chapter 1D of the North Carolina General Statutes. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1D-15, punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of fraud, malice, or willful or wanton conduct. Operating without a license, running a red light, and fleeing after causing a death – that’s the kind of conduct that can support punitive damages claims.
Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. While every case depends on its specific facts, this combination of illegal and reckless behavior is exactly what punitive damages laws address.
Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Are Significant
The fact that Mecklenburg County prosecutors charged Hood with involuntary manslaughter tells you how serious this case is.
Involuntary manslaughter charges in vehicle deaths are less common than you might expect. Prosecutors typically reserve this charge for cases involving gross negligence or reckless conduct beyond ordinary traffic violations.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-18, involuntary manslaughter applies when someone’s culpably negligent conduct causes death. The combination of no license, running a red light, and fleeing apparently convinced prosecutors that this met that standard.
For the civil wrongful death claim, a manslaughter conviction provides strong evidence of liability. Criminal convictions can be used in civil cases to establish that the defendant’s conduct was negligent.
Intersection Accidents and Pedestrian Right-of-Way
This accident happened at an intersection. Pedestrians crossing at intersections have specific legal protections under North Carolina law.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-173 governs pedestrian right-of-way at intersections. When a pedestrian is crossing at an intersection and has the right-of-way – which Sotelo had since Hood ran the red light – drivers must yield.
This is important because of North Carolina’s harsh contributory negligence rule. If Sotelo was crossing legally with the right-of-way and Hood violated traffic law by running the red light, it’s extremely difficult for Hood’s insurance company to argue Sotelo contributed to causing the accident.
Compare this to cases where pedestrians are walking along the roadway outside of crosswalks. In those cases, insurance companies routinely argue the pedestrian contributed to the accident. But when a driver runs a red light and hits a pedestrian who had the right-of-way? The liability falls squarely on the driver.
North Carolina’s Wrongful Death Law – Who Can File
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, only the personal representative of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina.
For Lance Sotelo’s family, this means someone needs to be appointed as personal representative through the probate process, typically in the county where the deceased lived. Once appointed, that person has legal authority to file the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the statutory beneficiaries.
The wrongful death proceeds go to statutory beneficiaries in this order: spouse and children first; if no spouse or children, then parents; if no parents, then other next of kin. These proceeds are separate from the estate itself and are distributed according to this statutory scheme, not according to a will.
The Two-Year Deadline Still Applies
North Carolina gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53.
Even though this case has clear liability – documented red light violation, criminal charges filed, suspect arrested – the two-year deadline still applies. Miss that deadline and the family loses their right to sue permanently.
Two years might seem like plenty of time. It’s not. Opening an estate, appointing a personal representative, investigating the full circumstances, identifying all insurance coverage, preparing the lawsuit – this takes time.
I’ve handled wrongful death cases across North Carolina for over 26 years. The families who start the process early have significantly better outcomes than those who wait until year two.
Criminal Case vs. Civil Wrongful Death Claim
Right now, Hood faces criminal charges in Mecklenburg County: felony hit-and-run under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166, involuntary manslaughter, no operator’s license, and red light violation.
But the criminal case is separate from the family’s civil wrongful death claim. The family doesn’t have to wait for the criminal case to resolve before filing their civil lawsuit. And even if Hood is convicted criminally, the family still needs to pursue their own civil claim for damages.
The criminal case can help the civil case. If Hood is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, that conviction can be used as evidence in the civil wrongful death lawsuit. But they’re two different proceedings with different purposes.
Criminal cases punish the defendant. Civil wrongful death cases compensate the family.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for a 25-Year-Old Professional
When someone as young and accomplished as Lance Sotelo is killed, the damages calculation considers his entire future.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, North Carolina’s wrongful death statute allows recovery for:
Loss of future income. Sotelo was 25, completing an MBA from the McColl School of Business. His projected lifetime earnings as a business professional with a graduate degree would have been substantial. The calculation considers his education level, career trajectory, and the 40+ years of earnings he lost.
Loss of services. The household services, guidance, companionship, and support he would have provided to his family over his lifetime.
Loss of companionship. For his family – parents, siblings, close family members – the emotional loss of his love, guidance, care, and presence for the next 50+ years.
Medical and funeral expenses. Any medical treatment before death and funeral costs.
Punitive damages. Given the combination of no license, running a red light, and fleeing the scene, this case may support punitive damages under Chapter 1D. These are designed to punish the defendant and deter others from similar conduct. Every case depends on its specific facts, but this pattern of behavior is the type that punitive damages laws address.
Each wrongful death case is different. But when someone young, educated, and accomplished is killed by clearly negligent conduct, the damages can be substantial.
Insurance Complications in Unlicensed Driver Cases
Here’s a problem that comes up when the driver has no license: insurance coverage may be an issue.
Many auto insurance policies have exclusions for unlicensed drivers. If Hood’s policy – assuming she had insurance at all – contains such an exclusion, the insurance company may try to deny coverage.
When that happens, uninsured motorist coverage becomes critical. If Sotelo had auto insurance with UM coverage, that policy might provide coverage. Family members’ policies might also provide coverage.
Even if Hood has insurance and it doesn’t exclude unlicensed drivers, she may only carry North Carolina’s minimum coverage. For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, the minimum is $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident. However, some drivers may still carry older policies with the previous minimums of $30,000/$60,000 until their renewal date. For a 25-year-old MBA student’s wrongful death claim, even the higher minimum often isn’t enough.
This is why underinsured motorist coverage matters. When the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough, UIM coverage from other policies can stack on top to provide additional recovery.
Figuring out all available insurance sources and maximizing recovery from multiple policies is complicated. This is one of many reasons wrongful death cases benefit from experienced legal representation.
Hit-and-Run Makes It Worse
Running a red light and killing someone is bad enough. Fleeing the scene makes it worse – both criminally and in terms of civil damages.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166, drivers involved in crashes must stop immediately. When a crash results in serious injury or death, failing to stop is a Class F felony.
For the wrongful death claim, fleeing shows consciousness of guilt and callous disregard for human life. Those are aggravating factors that can support punitive damages.
Hood eventually turned herself in, but only after leaving the scene and failing to render aid or call for help. That delay can, in many cases, reduce a victim’s chances of survival.
What Families Should Do After a Fatal Hit-and-Run
If you’ve lost someone in a hit-and-run accident anywhere in North Carolina, here’s what you need to do:
Get legal advice quickly. Don’t wait to see what happens with the criminal case. Don’t wait for the insurance company to make an offer. The two-year deadline under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53 is strict.
Don’t give recorded statements. The driver’s insurance company – if there is one – may contact family members for statements. Don’t give them. Everything you say gets recorded and used to minimize the claim.
Preserve evidence. Keep all documents related to the death. Get witness contact information. Preserve any photos or videos from the scene.
Open an estate. Someone needs to be appointed as personal representative before a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed. This typically happens through probate court in the county where the deceased lived.
Document the impact. Keep records of medical bills, funeral expenses, and how this loss has affected the family. This becomes important in proving damages.
Don’t rely on the criminal case. The criminal prosecution is separate from your civil wrongful death claim. You need to pursue both independently.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule
I need to explain something about North Carolina law that makes wrongful death cases harder than they should be.
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence rule. If the deceased person was even 1% at fault, the family recovers nothing. Zero.
It’s one of the harshest laws in the country. North Carolina is one of only a couple of states that still has this rule. Go figure.
But in this case, the contributory negligence defense is weak. Hood ran a red light – that’s documented. Sotelo was crossing at an intersection where he had the right-of-way. The traffic violation and criminal charges all point to Hood’s fault.
Insurance companies will still try to argue contributory negligence – it’s their standard playbook. But when their driver ran a red light and your loved one was following traffic laws, that defense doesn’t hold up.
Over 26 years handling these cases, I’ve seen insurance companies argue contributory negligence in situations where it makes no sense. They do it because North Carolina’s harsh rule gives them an opening. Fighting back requires detailed investigation of exactly what happened and strong legal representation.
Where Wrongful Death Cases Are Filed in Mecklenburg County
Wrongful death cases in Mecklenburg County are filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court in Charlotte. The courthouse is located at 832 East Fourth Street.
North Carolina law requires filing where the death occurred or where the defendant resides. Since this crash happened in Charlotte, that’s where the lawsuit would be filed.
Superior Court handles wrongful death cases because these are civil claims seeking damages above the District Court jurisdictional limit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit-and-Run Wrongful Death Cases
How long do we have to file a wrongful death claim in North Carolina?
Two years from the date of death under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53. Missing this deadline bars your case permanently. There are very few exceptions.
Can we file a wrongful death lawsuit before the criminal case is resolved?
Yes. The civil wrongful death case is separate from the criminal prosecution. You don’t have to wait for criminal charges to be resolved. In fact, waiting can cost you valuable time on the two-year statute of limitations.
What if the driver has no insurance because she had no license?
Uninsured motorist coverage from the deceased person’s auto policy or family members’ policies may provide coverage. North Carolina law allows UM coverage to apply when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Will a manslaughter conviction help our wrongful death case?
Yes. A criminal conviction can be used as evidence in the civil wrongful death lawsuit. It establishes that the defendant’s conduct was negligent or reckless. But you don’t have to wait for the criminal case – you can proceed with your civil claim independently.
What if the driver only has minimum insurance?
For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, North Carolina’s minimum liability coverage is $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident. Some older policies may still have the previous $30,000/$60,000 limits until renewal. For a 25-year-old professional’s wrongful death claim, even the higher minimums are often not enough. Underinsured motorist coverage from other policies can provide additional recovery beyond the at-fault driver’s limits.
Does fleeing the scene affect damages?
Yes. Fleeing after causing a death shows callous disregard and can support punitive damages claims under Chapter 1D. It’s also a separate felony charge that demonstrates the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct.
How much does a wrongful death attorney cost in Charlotte?
Most wrongful death attorneys work on contingency fees. You don’t pay anything upfront. The attorney’s fee comes from the recovery – typically one-third. If there’s no recovery, you don’t pay attorney fees.
Queens University Community Statement
Queens University released a statement Thursday acknowledging Sotelo’s death and his significant contributions to the campus community. The university described him as “a pillar of the campus community” whose “competitive spirit shone on the Men’s Track and Field and Cross-Country teams, but it was his heart for service that truly defined him.”
The university plans to hold a memorial event to celebrate his life.
While the university mourns his loss, his family faces not only grief but the complex legal aftermath of his wrongful death. They deserve both time to grieve and proper legal representation to pursue the compensation North Carolina law provides.
Get Legal Help After a Fatal Hit-and-Run in Charlotte
Over 26 years, I’ve handled wrongful death cases across North Carolina – from Charlotte to Greensboro, Winston-Salem to Durham, and everywhere in between. I know how devastating these losses are. I know the legal system adds stress on top of grief. And I know insurance companies will use every tool they have to minimize claims, even in cases with clear liability like this one.
If you’ve lost someone in a hit-and-run or any fatal accident in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina, contact us for a free consultation. We handle wrongful death cases on contingency fees – you don’t pay unless we recover compensation. Call 336-221-8900 to discuss your case.
About This Article: This content is based on reports from WBTV regarding a fatal hit-and-run crash in Charlotte investigated by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. We provide this information as an educational resource about wrongful death law in North Carolina. If you are directly connected to this accident and have questions or concerns about this article, please contact us at 336-221-8900.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about wrongful death cases in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and should not be considered legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed North Carolina attorney.