Ella Lukse Fatal Crash Investigation in the CMPD South Division

The death of 15 year old Ella Lukse hits hard. Raintree is where I grew up. This is where my parents raised four children and lived from the time Raintree was developed until 2020, and this is madness. It was once a safe and attractive neighborhood. 

From CMPD:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, September 5, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a serious injury motor vehicle crash in the South Division.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, at approximately 8:57 p.m., South Division officers responded to a motor vehicle collision with injuries in the 8200 block of Raintree Lane.  Upon arrival, officers located a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee overturned and a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta badly damaged in the roadway. MEDIC responded to the scene and transported two passengers from the Jeep and both occupants of the Volkswagen to Atrium Health Main due to their injuries.  The driver of the Jeep, Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005), was uninjured and remained on scene.

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, and Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to conduct their investigation.  The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Jeep was traveling south on Raintree Lane when his jeep struck the right side of the Volkswagen driven by Tokla Parker Chhem, Jr. (DOB: 04/25/2007).  The impact of the crash caused the Jeep to overturn and the Volkswagen to go off of the roadway and into a tree.  A 15-year-old passenger in the Volkswagen suffered severe, life-threatening injuries.

Excessive speed is believed to be a factor.  Mr. Fleming was found not to be impaired but had consumed alcohol prior to the collision.  He was arrested and charged with Driving After Consuming Under 21 and Reckless Driving.  Additional charges could be forthcoming pending the result of the continued investigation.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

And then this sad update:

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 10:23 p.m., 15-year-old Ella Lukse (DOB: 02/13/2008), succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at Atrium Health Main.  Ella’s family members were present when she passed away.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, detectives with CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit obtained a Secure Custody Order for Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005) for Involuntary Manslaughter.  Fleming was arrested at his home and transported to the Law Enforcement Center (601 E. Trade St.) in Uptown for questioning.  At the conclusion of the interview, he was transferred into the custody of the Stonewall Jackson Juvenile Correctional Facility in Cabarrus County.

Ella Lukse’s family has been notified of the arrest.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

A celebration and gathering of her family and friends will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1pm to 5pm at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212

Ella Lukse

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV 17 has a history of recklessness according to several posts on social media.

No one has yet offered as reason the Fleming was traveling by some accounts at nearly twice the speed limit of 35 mph, down Raintree Lane. While the street to the Raintree Country Club goes on to connect to Providence Road at the Charlotte Latin School it is not a time saving cut through.

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV

Fleming who resided with his parents on Robinhood Road was uninjured in the crash. 

His father Gorden Fleming who is a pastor at Hope Community Church on Sharon Amity Road, has not spoken publicly about the death of Miss Luske or the arrest of his son.

Cedar's Take: As I have said this is madness. We have become a lawless society with kids raised by parents who are utter failures at teaching integrity, honesty and responsibility.

No family should have to endure this. 

When we were kids Raintree was a safe place. My brothers and sister and I felt safe, except some little guy named Mick Mulvaney who followed my sister around like a lost puppy. And Peter Pappas who was an annoying little kid who liked to play golf and drove us older kids working in the pro shop crazy when he'd lose a pitching wedge on the course. And Chip Sella whose father was the CEO of Fortune 500 company American Cyanamid. We were well off kids from six figure income families, but we didn't act like entitled brats. We were not always angels but we understood that our actions had consequences. We obeyed traffic laws and took driving seriously. I could give you a dozen names of families that raised their kids in Raintree and nothing like this ever happened. Now its just heartbreaking madness.