He was killed during a street race as he didn't realize the other driver was very much impaired and ended up knocking Charles' vehicle into a light pole. The driver survived and was charged with a variety of felonies including vehicular homicide. The woman with Charles was thrown from the car and somehow survived.
Charles was so extraordinary that he's the only non-fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He wasn't married and had no children. Something Charles liked to say was: "It may not be me that touches a million people but maybe I'll touch the one who will." I love that.