A man driving a pickup truck on a busy thoroughfare in the Phoenix suburbs crashed into a group of bicyclists riding along the side of the road on Saturday. The accident left two of the bicyclists dead, and at least 11 others were seriously injured.
On Saturday morning, police in the city of Goodyear, Arizona announced they had arrested a 26-year-old man named Pedro Quintana-Lujan immediately after the horrific crash. They also confirmed two cyclists had been killed in the tragedy, with at least one more left in life-threatening critical condition.
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In a Saturday morning Facebook announcement first confirming the horrific situation, the Goodyear Police Department explained that Cotton Lane in the Phoenix-area town was shut down as detectives investigated the awful crash:
“Due to a serious injury crash involving a large group of bicyclists, Cotton Lane is closed in both directions from the circle at Estrella Parkway to MC85 while police investigate. Please use alternate routes. This closure will last several hours. … We are sad to update that this is a fatal crash with two confirmed deceased cyclists. One adult female and one adult male. This crash involved a single vehicle (pick-up truck). The adult male driver remained on scene. This investigation is ongoing.”
Then, hours later on Saturday afternoon, the Goodyear PD provided an update. They released the identity of Lujan (pictured above in his arrest mugshot) and confirmed he was the truck driver involved in the incident.
They also noted some of the attributes of the cyclists that were killed in the crash — although the Goodyear PD did not name them in that release:
“Goodyear Police arrested and booked into jail the driver of the vehicle, 26 y/o Pedro Quintana-Lujan. He was booked on several charges including two counts of manslaughter. Sadly, two of the bicyclists died, and one remains in life-threatening condition; several others were seriously injured. One of the deceased is a local resident of Goodyear, and one was visiting from out of state.”
The department added:
“The Goodyear Police department is deeply saddened by this tragedy and extends condolences to the loved ones of the victims as well as to the cycling community and the community as a whole.”
So sad.
As of Sunday evening, the motives and specifics behind the crash are still unclear. It is not known if Quintana-Lujan intended to hit the cyclists, or if it was an accident. AZ Family reports the crash occurred mid-morning under sunny, clear skies, and thus investigators do not believe poor weather or unsafe road conditions were factors.
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You can see more about the incident and the ongoing investigation around it via Fox 10 Phoenix (below):
Such a terrible situation. To be out on a bike ride with friends under a beautiful sun on a nice weekend in the desert, and then moments later, to be struck down and severely injured — or worse.
We send our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of those lost in Saturday’s awful crash.
[Image via Goodyear Police Department/Fox 10 Phoenix/YouTube]
