Charlotte Police Officer Sustains Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle During Large Scale Weekend Street Takeover

A Charlotte police officer was struck by a vehicle during a Steele Creek street takeover. Read about the arrest of Tanaezah Austin and the rise of local crime.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 5:57 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Charlotte Observer

A Violent Confrontation During Illegal Maneuvers

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating a violent escalation that occurred during a large scale street takeover in the Steele Creek area early Sunday morning. According to official police reports, officers responded to a commercial parking lot on Smith Farm Road following numerous complaints of reckless driving and public disturbance. Upon arrival, law enforcement encountered a massive gathering of vehicles engaged in dangerous stunts, including burnouts and high speed maneuvers. As officers attempted to intervene and disperse the crowd, the situation turned hazardous when a participant allegedly used their vehicle to strike an officer before fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.

Officer Safety and the Scope of the Injury

The injured officer, whose identity has not been publicly released, was treated for minor injuries following the impact. According to CMPD representatives, the officer was struck as they were on foot attempting to engage with one of the participants. While the injuries were fortunately non life threatening, the department has emphasized the inherent danger that these uncoordinated and illegal gatherings pose to both the public and responding personnel. The officer has since been released from medical care, but the incident has served as a catalyst for a renewed departmental focus on the rising frequency of street takeovers across the Mecklenburg County region.

Tanaezah Austin Apprehended Following Investigation

The investigation into the assault led to the identification and arrest of 20 year old Tanaezah Austin on Monday. According to court documents and police statements, Austin was allegedly the driver of the vehicle that struck the officer during the Sunday morning chaos. Law enforcement officials utilized cellphone video and surveillance footage from nearby businesses to track the suspect vehicle after it sped away from the parking lot. Austin now faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer and felony hit and run. This arrest marks a significant step in the department's effort to hold individuals accountable for the increasing violence associated with these clandestine automotive meetups.