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.
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.
Elias’s friends stayed to help and called 911. Police say a bystander driving by the crash stopped and performed CPR on Elias.
Glendale police said in a news conference last week that the teen was still fighting in the hospital but is in “grave and critical condition.” Police say he has a skull fracture and other serious injuries.
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
Dozens of people wore red and held candles for a vigil on the corner of the intersection. They all gathered in prayer for Elias’s healing and justice.
“My son is fighting for his life. We’re not in the clear. Not until we get an MRI saying everything is okay,” said Elias’s mom, Victoria Bizzle.
Victoria told Arizona’s Family that Elias has road rash, a broken jaw and femur bone, lost his four front teeth and has brain damage. Due to the swelling in his brain, the MRI had to be pushed back.
”This monster turned my world upside down, and all I want is my son. I just want my son,” said Victoria. ”He didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this.“
”I want to make sure that no other parent goes through what I’m going through because this is torture. It is pure torture to see your 13-year-old laying so helpless, and you can’t do nothing about it. You can’t do anything about it, just pray,” said Victoria.
She said there are no excuses for the driver not stopping. “Maybe you were scared and whatnot, but you should have done the right thing and you didn’t.”
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
GLENDALE, Ariz. – A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night for a boy who remains in the hospital after a hit-and-run in Glendale on April 11.
The 13-year-old was badly hurt this week while riding his bike in Glendale. Late Saturday night, the suspect, 27-year-old Joshua Holbert, turned himself in to police.
To say the family of 13-year-old Elias Bizzle is heartbroken doesn’t do it justice.
His mother says they are waiting to do an MRI on the boy – for now there is too much brain swelling to tell what damage was done.
At the vigil on April 14, the community wore red. They’re all waiting for the diagnosis of the young boy who they all call Eli.
Eli was left in the road at the intersection at Northern and 47th avenues.
Police say the suspected driver turned himself in to Glendale Police two days after leaving the scene.
The group of kids were out riding their bikes before the sunset, crossing the crosswalk along Northern Avenue. 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.
Eli is suffering from a fractured skull and broken legs.
“My son is fighting for his life,” she said.
The family of six has been at the hospital around the clock since Eli was hit. They say they’re praying for a miracle.
As the family awaits Eli’s condition, Victoria says she is thankful for a witness and nurse who pulled over and immediately began giving Eli CPR.
The family is looking for that nurse to thank her for giving Eli a fighting chance.
Glendale Police released a statement on this case, saying in part, “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.”