CHARLOTTE — Thomas Royster was arrested after causing a crash that seriously injured two Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Wednesday evening in the bus lanes on East Independence Boulevard in east Charlotte.
The two officers were in a marked CMPD vehicle going outbound in the bus lanes. First responders can use the bus lanes in the center of East Independence Boulevard.
Police said the driver of a Buick Regal, Thomas Royster, 34, was going inbound and crossed the double-yellow line when he struck the CMPD vehicle head-on near Briar Creek Road, police said.
Barriers prevented officers from avoiding the crash.
1 charged after east Charlotte crash seriously hurt 2 CMPD officers https://t.co/zSoVs1cl5y
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) July 24, 2025
Court documents reveal that both officers suffered head trauma and lower body injuries due to the crash. They had non-life-threatening injuries and have been released from the hospital, police said.
Royster has a lengthy criminal and traffic infraction history.
Royster’s license is currently suspended for a 2025 DWI conviction. He was transported to a local hospital. Royster was suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the crash. Royster was released from the hospital and charged with two counts of felony serious injury and driving while license revoked for a prior DWI. Citations were issued for open container, reckless driving, unsafe movement, HOV lane violation, seatbelt violation and driving left of center. Royster has been transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
VIDEO: Police looking for Dodge Charger after deadly drive-by in Hickory
©2025 Cox Media Group
