Current:Home > FinanceDriver fatigue likely led to Arizona crash that killed 2 bicyclists and injured 14, NTSB says -AssetLink
Driver fatigue likely led to Arizona crash that killed 2 bicyclists and injured 14, NTSB says
View
Date:2025-04-17 05:30:36
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Fatigue likely led to a pickup truck driver’s crash last year that killed two bicyclists and injured 14 other riders on a bridge in a Phoenix suburb, authorities said Tuesday.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report about the February 2023 crash on the Cotton Lane Bridge in Goodyear, 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of Phoenix. It said a major factor in the collision was the driver’s “diminished state of alertness, likely due to fatigue.”
Contributing to the severity of the bicyclists’ injuries was the driver’s speed and lack of response once the crash sequence began, according to the NTSB report.
Pedro Quintana-Lujan, 27, was originally booked into a Phoenix jail on suspicion of manslaughter, aggravated assault, endangerment and causing serious injury or death by a moving violation.
A charging document initially released by Goodyear police said Quintana-Lujan told officers the day of the crash that he was driving in the left of two northbound lanes of the bridge when his steering locked and he drifted into the vacant right lane, then into the adjacent bike lane where he heard “a sound similar to metal.”
But a preliminary NTSB report said two investigators separately checked his truck and found no issues.
A later NTSB report said Quintana-Lujan smoked marijuana the night before the Feb. 25 crash into the group of Phoenix area cyclists.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said Quintana-Lujan had a small amount of THC — the principal psychoactive constituent of cannibas —in his system, but noted that Arizona law doesn’t set a standard for proving impairment by THC only.
County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges, saying there wasn’t enough evidence.
The case was sent back to the Goodyear Prosecutor’s Office where 11 misdemeanor charges were filed against Quintana-Lujan. He is facing a jail sentence if convicted.
Goodyear Municipal Court officials said Quintana-Lujan has a pre-trial conference on Oct. 16
A call to Phoenix attorney David Cantor, whose law firm is representing Quintana-Lujan, was not immediately returned on Tuesday.
veryGood! (8283)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- He couldn’t see his wedding. But this war-blinded Ukrainian soldier cried with joy at new love
- Hunter Biden indicted on federal gun charges
- GOP senators who boycotted Oregon Legislature file for reelection despite being disqualified
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Analysis shows Ohio’s new universal voucher program already exceeds cost estimates
- Tory Lanez denied bond as he appeals 10-year sentence in Megan Thee Stallion shooting
- See All of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royally Sweet Moments at The Invictus Games in Germany
- New Orleans mayor’s former bodyguard making first court appearance after July indictment
- Britain, France and Germany say they will keep their nuclear and missiles sanctions on Iran
Ranking
- Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
- Yankees set date for Jasson Dominguez's Tommy John surgery. When will he return?
- New Hampshire risks losing delegates over presidential primary date fight with DNC
- Father of Kaylee Goncalves, one of four murdered University of Idaho students, says there is evidence his daughter fought back
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Russia raises key interest rate again as inflation and exchange rate worries continue
- On movie screens in Toronto, home is a battleground
- Tory Lanez denied bond as he appeals 10-year sentence in Megan Thee Stallion shooting
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Recent floods heighten concerns that New England dams may not be built for climate-induced storms
'Heartbroken': Lindsay Hubbard breaks silence on split with 'Summer House' fiancé Carl Radke
'The Other Black Girl': How the new Hulu show compares to the book by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
U.S. reopens troubled facility for migrant children in Texas amid spike in border arrivals
Philly teachers sue district for First Amendment rights violation over protests
AP Week in Pictures: Asia