5/25/2021 6:30AM. McDowell Mountain Road near milepost 2 (here is a random spot on that road). Bicyclist killed after being struck by a driver who fled the scene. Suspect vehicle is this heavily damaged Toyota pickup truck; and the driver was arrested.
No details of the crash mechanism were released — I can’t find the specific spot, but it appears this road is two lanes (one in each direction) with paved shoulders. In the event that the driver “failed to maintain proper lane”, i.e. struck the bicyclist on the shoulder; the driver should be charged with 28-672 in addition to any other charges. So for the time being anyway, this will be tagged “drifted”.
It’s also worth noting that value of traffic cameras (I mean I think it was a traffic camera?) in providing evidence and catching criminals: “The suspect vehicle was captured on video traveling westbound through the intersection of Rio Verde Drive and 122nd Street at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25” (fhtimes). This isn’t photo-enforcement’s primary use, but demonstrates an additional public safety value; catching criminals, including two (two that i am aware of; this Tempe one, and this Scottsdale one) murderers.
Arrest made in hit-and-run that killed cyclist in Fountain Hills
… Debra Cheschin was on McDowell Mountain Road near milepost two when a car hit her and took off. She later died… The Maricopa County Sheriff’s office made an arrest in the incident, days after circulating photos of the suspected vehicle involved… A witness told investigators the suspected truck stopped at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, about two miles north of the collision scene, and two unknown males wearing lime green, long sleeve shirts got out of the vehicle and inspected the right front corner… The unidentified males were allegedly seen using tools trying to repair damage in the right front corner of the truck.
…MCSO, after receiving several tips from the public, arrested 27-year-old Gage Grimes. He was booked on one count of leaving the scene of a fatal traffic collision, the sheriff’s office said.
Criminal Case
History: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/CriminalCourtCases/caseInfo.asp?caseNumber=CR2021-119900 Minutes: courtminutes.maricopa.gov/JONamesearch.asp?casenumber=CR2021119900
Sentence minute 3/16/2022; “A less than maximum term of 8 years…” non-dangerous / non-repetitive, minus some credit for time already served. For the one count plea guilty to leaving the scene of a crash caused by the defendant — a class 2 felony.
In the change of plea minute, there’s something about “…Motion to Dismiss Prior Felony Convictions as reflected in the plea agreement”, and some hints in the docket, e.g. “Allegation of Historical Priors”, and “ALLEGATION OF AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES” so I don’t know specifically what else was going on but it almost certainly has something to do with the seemingly very very long sentence.
There’s a flurry of minutes after sentencing referring to PCR (post conviction relief).