One Killed During Pima County Car Chase

On February 7, 2018, around 11:41 a.m., Tucson Police officers responded to an agency assist request from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department reference a serious injury vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers learned two adult males were in a vehicle that collided with a piece of construction equipment.

The males were transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives learned the Pima County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call to a convenience store at 2840 W. Los Reales Rd. involving two suspects who left in a maroon vehicle. While enroute to the call, a deputy traveling westbound on Valencia Rd. observed a matching vehicle traveling eastbound on Valencia Rd. The deputy turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled from the deputy and the deputy initiated a pursuit. The driver lost control of the vehicle in the 2000 block of W. Valencia. The area is under construction and the curb lane was closed using construction pylons. The driver struck several of the construction pylons and continued eastbound in the closed curb lane before striking the front bucket of a front loader that was parked facing west while in the curb lane.

It is believed that the occupants of the fleeing vehicle may not have committed a robbery and the deputy has did not have a valid reason for pursuing the men.

Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seatbelt. The investigation is ongoing but speed appears to be a factor in this collision. Detectives are continuing the investigation into possible impairment on the driver.

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