News release provided by Matthews Police Department. MATTHEWS, N.C. (News Release) — On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at approximately 6:27 p.m., Matthews officers assigned to the Patrol Division responded to a four-car vehicle crash in the 11300 block of E. Independence Blvd. During the course o f this investigation, Mr. Evan Lewis Whiteside (DOB – 07/09/1998) of Charlotte, was charged with Driving While Impaired and Reckless Driving – Wanton Disregard. Mr. Whiteside was one of three people that were transported to the hospital for treatment, and after his release, he was transported to the Mecklenburg County Jail. The westbound side of E. Independence Blvd. was closed on this date from approximately 6:39 p.m. until 9:03 p.m. to allow for a thorough, on-scene traffic crash investigation to be conducted. This remains an ongoing investigation conducted by the Matthews Police Department Traffic Safety Unit. ...read more read less