A North Carolina man apologized to the family of the pedestrian he fatally struck with his car , saying the tragedy "could have been avoided."

Mache Darby, 40, pleaded guilty to several felony charges, including second-degree murder, on Thursday and was sentenced to at least 16 years in prison. On Dec. 1, 2024, Darby was driving his Mercedes-Benz at a high rate of speed through a Charlotte, North Carolina, intersection. Ryan Zadrozny, 23, a New Jersey native who had been visiting friends , was walking through that intersection when Darby drove into him at 105 mph and "never stopped," according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.

Zadrozny died at the scene, and Darby crashed his car after being chased by police.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket,

See Full Page