A man driving a pickup truck on a busy street in suburban Phoenix hit a group of bicyclists on the side of the road Saturday. The accident left two cyclists dead, and at least 11 others were seriously injured.
On Saturday morning, police in the city of Goodyear, Arizona announced that they had arrested a 26-year-old man Pedro Quintana-Lujan immediately after the terrible accident. He also confirmed that two cyclists had died in the tragedy, with at least one other in a critical, life-threatening condition.
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On Saturday morning Facebook the first announcement confirming the dire situation, the Goodyear Police Station explained that Cotton Lane in the Phoenix area city was closed as detectives investigated the horrific accident:
“Due to a serious injury accident involving a group of bicyclists, Cotton Lane is closed in both directions from the roundabout at Estrella Parkway to MC85 while police investigate. Please use alternate routes. This closure will last several hours. … We are saddened to update this fatal accident with two confirmed deceased cyclists. One adult female and one adult male. This accident involved one vehicle (pick-up truck). The adult male driver remains at the scene. This investigation is still ongoing.
Then, a few hours later on Saturday afternoon, Goodyear PD provided an update. They released the identity of Lujan (pictured above in the arrest mugshot) and confirmed that he was the truck driver involved in the incident.
He also noted some of the attributes of the bicyclists killed in the crash — even though Goodyear PD did. not named in the release:
“Goodyear police arrested and booked into jail the driver of the vehicle, 26-year-old Pedro Quintana-Lujan. He was booked on several charges including two counts of murder. Unfortunately, two cyclists died, and one remains in a life-threatening condition; several others were injured seriously. One of the deceased is a resident of Goodyear, and one is from out of state.
The department added:
“The Goodyear Police Department is deeply saddened by this tragedy and extends its condolences to the loved ones of the victims as well as the cycling community and the community at large.”
It’s so sad.
As of Sunday afternoon, the motive and specifics of the accident were still unclear. It is not known if Quintana-Lujan intended to hit the cyclists, or if there was an accident. The AZ family reported the crash happened early in the morning under clear, sunny skies, so investigators don’t believe bad weather or unsafe road conditions were factors.
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You can see more about the incident and the ongoing investigation through Fox 10 Phoenix (below):
Terrible situation. To go out on a bike ride with friends in the beautiful sun on a nice weekend in the desert, and then moments later, will be struck down and severely injured – or worse.
We send our condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones lost in Saturday’s crash.
[Image via Goodyear Police Department/Fox 10 Phoenix/YouTube]