[Update: the teenage bicyclist died two weeks later — see main article including criminal case info]
4/11/2024 7:30pm Involving a hit-run driver striking a boy riding a bicycle in a crosswalk at 47th and Northern avenues Glendale; witnesses describe a white pickup or SUV going westbound on 47th.
The driver fled and then turned himself in a couple of days later. Was he impaired at the time?
Police have not said who was at fault for causing the collision, however fleeing a crash w/serious injury is a criminal felony in any case.
Shout out to those who want to outlaw photo-enforcement: “Police used traffic cameras…” to help identify the suspect vehicle; traffic enforcement cameras have been used successfully to provide evidence enabling police to identify and catch dangerous criminals. (these are traffic-monitoring cameras only, Glendale does not presently use photo enforcement)
Driver arrested for hit-and-run that left teen boy hurt in Glendale
GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A driver has been arrested in connection to a hit-and-run crash that left a teen boy seriously hurt in Glendale last week.
Glendale police confirmed that 27-year-old Joshua Holbert was taken into custody for the collision.
The crash happened last Thursday near 47th and Northern avenues just after 7:30 p.m.
Police say the 13-year-old boy, who family identified as Elias Bizzle, was riding his bike with friends when they attempted to cross the intersection using the crosswalk. Authorities say Elias was struck by Holbert, who then fled the scene in his Chevrolet Trailblazer without providing aid.
… According to court documents, witnesses described the vehicle involved as a truck or SUV with an American flag driving westbound at the time of the crash. Police say broken pieces found at the scene were consistent with Chevrolet vehicle parts.
Police used traffic cameras, surveillance footage, and internal databases to find Holbert’s Chevrolet in an apartment complex’s parking lot.
Police say someone removed the American flag from the vehicle, possibly to hide its identity. The vehicle was also parked in a way that hid the damage.
Officers obtained a search warrant and found damage to the front of the vehicle, including broken grille parts that were consistent with those found at the scene of the crash. An American flag was also discovered in the backseat of the car. Police also got a search warrant for the apartment, but no one was inside when they entered.
On Saturday, Glendale police received a call from Holbert turning himself in. He was waiting in the courtyard of the main station and was taken into custody.
According to court documents, Holbert admitted to driving the Chevrolet and being involved in the crash. He said no one else was with him in the vehicle and reportedly told police he did not help the victim, left the scene, and went back to his apartment complex.
Glendale police provided a statement regarding Holbert’s arrest:
“We are grateful that we are able to provide the family of the victim some relief to know that the person responsible for their child’s injuries is in custody. As for the victim, we do not have updated information on his condition. We here at the Glendale Police Department hope he is able to make a full recovery. We hope his family can find some peace knowing we will do all we can to aid in the prosecution of Mr. Holbert.” — Glendale Police Department
… Although police say Holbert claims he was the only person in the SUV, Victoria said Elias’s friends said they saw someone else in the car.
Glendale teen remains hospitalized as hit-and-run suspect turns himself in to police
… His mother says her son was doing the right thing. “My son wasn’t the first person riding. He was in the middle. The guy swerved to miss these other kids, hit my son and kept going,” Victoria said.
… We hope his family can find some peace knowing we will do all we can to aid in the prosecution of Mr. Holbert.”
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