USA TODAY International Edition
Good Samaritan wrestles with taking life
The motorist who killed a man attacking a state trooper was described Monday by the trooper’s boss as a humble, spiritual man who believes God had put him on a desolate stretch of Interstate 10 to save the trooper’s life.
Col. Frank Milstead, Arizona Department of Public Safety director, also released the names of the attacker, identified as an undocumented immigrant and former Mexico federal police officer, and the Phoenix woman who died at the scene Thursday.
Milstead said he talked with the Good Samaritan on Saturday and that the man was still wrestling with taking a life, although he knew he did the right thing. The man said he is still not ready to be named but will come forward eventually.
At a news conference, Milstead provided additional details about the fatal pre- dawn confrontation.
The attacker was Leonard Penuelas- Escobar, a 37- yearold Mexican illegal immigrant who was a known methamphetamine user, Milstead said.
Investigators believe Penuelas- Escobar was driving a vehicle at a high speed Thursday when it rolled over. He was wearing a seat belt and did not sustain serious injuries in the crash, but a woman in the car was ejected, eventually dying from her injuries.
Milstead identified her as Vanessa Monique Lopez- Ruiz, a 23- year- old from Phoenix who also was a known methamphetamine user.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety has not yet formally interviewed the wounded trooper, 27- year veteran Trooper Edward Andersson.
According to the depart- ment’s director, Penuelas- Escobar rolled the car, ejecting Lopez- Ruiz. He then shot at a passing car, and that driver called the police.
Andersson, who was responding to the shots- fired call at 4: 21 a. m., saw the rollover and the man holding the woman in his arms, so he called for medical help and pulled over to administer first aid.
As Andersson was setting up flares in the dark, Escobar said something in Spanish then shot Andersson once in the upper right shoulder. The unnamed Good Samaritan, who had been driving behind Andersson, approached and saw Penuelas- Escobar straddling and beating Andersson.
The Good Samaritan grabbed his own gun from his car, stood about 5 feet away from Penuelas- Escobar and told him to stop, but PenuelasEscobar cursed at him and continued beating Andersson.
Worried that he might accidentally shoot the trooper, the Good Samaritan adjusted his position and then shot Penuelas- Escobar at least twice, Milstead said.
The Good Samaritan then began administering first aid to Andersson. When Penuelas- Escobar came at them again, the Good Samaritan shot the suspect in the head, killing him, Milstead said.