Alec Chambers, 31, was killed late Tuesday night near the Satellite Bar and Lounge in Wilmington when a vehicle driven by 34‑year‑old Michelle Lane Masiello plowed into him and nearby structures, authorities say. The loss has left his family and community reeling with grief.
Police say the terrifying scene unfolded just before midnight on Tuesday, December 30, on Greenfield Street at the popular outdoor gathering spot. Chambers was standing near the edge of the side parking lot when the Jeep struck him. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
After the impact, the Jeep did not stop. It continued forward, crashing into a tree and the metal fencing around the bar’s outdoor seating area, leaving wreckage scattered and a once‑lively space abruptly silent. Wilmington Police Department officers later took Masiello into custody near the scene.
Masiello, a Carolina Beach woman, is facing several charges, including felony death by vehicle, misdemeanor driving while impaired, misdemeanor reckless driving to endanger, and misdemeanor injury to real property. Court records show she remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Friends and patrons at Satellite Bar describe Chambers as a gentle and creative spirit. He was known for his kindness, his art, and his deep love of skateboarding—activities that brought joy to his life and those around him. The skate community, local artists, and longtime friends are now left with a hole that cannot be filled.
In a heartfelt statement, the owners of Satellite Bar and Lounge said they would close temporarily to grieve and support one another. They called Chambers family, a testament to how deeply he had become woven into the fabric of their daily lives. His presence was more than familiar; it was cherished.
For Chambers’ family, the days ahead will be unimaginably hard. Loved ones are planning memorials and sharing memories of someone who brought laughter, warmth, and creativity into every room he entered. Justice will take its course in court, but for now, those who loved Alec are focused on remembering him as he truly was.
Alec Chambers is survived by family, friends, and a community that will hold his memory close. In the quiet places he once filled with life—on his skateboard, in his art, at the bar with friends—his spirit will live on.
