A 25-year-old Charlotte woman has been charged with a felony after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say she struck an officer with her vehicle during a late-night gathering in a grocery store parking lot. Court records identify the driver as Tanaezah Michelle Austin, who faces a count of felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government officer.
CMPD responded about 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, after multiple 911 calls reported cars doing donuts outside the Harris Teeter at 4701 Smith Farm Road. Officers described encountering what they called a street takeover and began clearing the parking lot.
According to the prosecutor’s filings, an officer approached a black Kia Optima as it attempted to leave. Investigators say Austin briefly stopped, then accelerated while the officer was walking in front of the vehicle toward the driver’s side, striking him and causing him to roll over the hood. The documents note the officer was in full uniform, giving verbal commands, and was visible to the driver before the collision.
The officer was able to radio the Kia’s license plate as the vehicle departed, which investigators used to identify Austin. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Austin was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail on March 2 and posted a $3,000 bond, being released just before 3 a.m. on March 3, according to court records.