Press Release: Man Charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle

.Lexington man charged in fatal January traffic crash

A Lexington man has been charged in connection with a January weather-related traffic crash that later resulted in the death of a pedestrian, according to the Lexington Police Department.

Luis Alonso Briceno was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2026 and served with warrants charging him with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving with no operator’s license and misdemeanor child abuse. The determination on the charges was made after Lexington Police Department investigators consulted with the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office.

Briceno was placed in the Davidson County Jail under a $2,500 secured bond.

The charges stem from a single-vehicle crash that occurred Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at approximately 9:02 p.m. Officers responded to South Main Street near the railroad overpass at Wilfred Avenue. The vehicle was traveling south when it left the roadway on the right and went down an embankment. Minor injuries were reported at the scene.

Two juvenile passengers were transported by Davidson County EMS to Atrium Health Lexington with minor injuries. Due to ongoing weather conditions and the vehicle’s location, tow personnel were unable to remove the vehicle from the scene at that time. All occupants were accounted for. The vehicle was being operated by Briceno.

On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 at approximately 10 a.m., officers responded back to the area after a body was located in the wooded area down the embankment near the original crash site. Upon further investigation, officers determined that the victim, identified as Barbara Hartwell of Lexington, had been walking on the sidewalk when she was struck by Briceno’s vehicle as it left the roadway and traveled down the embankment.

Assisting agencies included the Lexington Fire Department, Davidson County EMS, Davidson County Rescue and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.