Court records show the hit-and-run suspect from Charlotte now faces a second-degree murder charge

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A man accused of driving while impaired and striking and killing a person in uptown Charlotte Sunday morning now faces a second-degree murder charge, according to public court records.

The arrest warrant shows Mache Darby, 40, was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the death of Ryan Zadronzy.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Zadronzy was struck while walking in a crosswalk on West Morehead Street.

“This is a terrible way to die and it didn’t have to happen,” said Steven Burritt, regional executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “It was based on someone’s irresponsible, reckless decisions, and that’s just too much for one family to bear.”

Police confirmed that Darby was previously charged in 2011 in a fatal hit-and-run involving a 55-year-old pedestrian on Albermarle Road. Jail records show Darby received a suspended sentence and a suspended sentence in that case.

In addition to a second-degree murder charge, Darby also faces felony charges of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, fleeing to elude and reckless driving for Zadronzy’s death.

Burritt said the number of impaired drivers typically increases over the holidays, with December being a month with the highest number of impaired driving accidents.

“And truly, more than ever, there is no excuse for us to watch these ongoing tragedies,” Burritt said. “It’s not always the most popular or pleasant thing to do, but you could definitely save a life by stopping someone from driving drunk or impaired on the road.”

Darby is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail on a $1 million bond.

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