CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tragic early-morning crash claimed the life of a 32-year-old man and injured another late Saturday night, just hours after the Panthers’ preseason opener in Uptown.

Around 2:44 a.m. on August 9, emergency responders were summoned to the West John Belk Freeway (I-277) near South Church Street. They found a red 2006 Honda Civic with extensive front-end damage and an unresponsive driver, later identified as Peter Jacob Didier, 32, who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Nearby was a black 1996 Ford Explorer; its driver, Scott Brown, 57, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Atrium Health Main. Investigators determined that Brown was not impaired.

According to police, Didier was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes when his Honda collided head-on with Brown’s vehicle. While authorities have confirmed that the Ford driver was sober, it remains unclear whether speed or impairment played a role in the crash.

The collision caused significant disruption, prompting officials to close a section of I-277 extending past Exit 1D (South Mint Street). The roadway reopened several hours later, around 8:30 a.m., as the cleanup and investigation concluded.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, Crime Scene Search team, and DWI Task Force all involved in examining the circumstances behind the wrong-way crash.

The heartbreaking timing of the crash — occurring just hours after a highly anticipated preseason game at Bank of America Stadium — has heightened attention on roadway safety and increased traffic in Uptown Charlotte.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to contact Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, through the Crime Stoppers app, or on their website.