What we know about fatal bicycle crash in Goodyear
A pickup plowed through a bicycling group on Feb. 25 in Goodyear, killing a man and woman and injuring many others.
Here’s all we know so far:
Fatal victims were in their 60s
Karen Malisa, 61, of Goodyear and David Kero, 65, of Michigan died in the crash while riding with a bicycling group, West Valley Cycle, shortly before 8 a.m. on Cotton Lane Bridge.
Paul Theisen, a bicyclist with the group, said that Malisa was a former West Valley teacher.
Who else got hurt?
A total of 19 sustained some sort of injury during the incident, according to information from police. Theisen said the group is composed of community members including doctors, lawyers and military veterans.
Theisen, who was about a mile behind the bicycling victims when they were hit by the truck, said about eight remained hospitalized as of Feb. 27.
West Valley Cycle has a group ride every 7:30 a.m. Saturday starting at Santini Shop in Goodyear, according to information on its website.
There are three subgroups riding as part of the West Valley Cycle Group, each including about 75-100 bicyclists, according to its website.
Driver faces charges
In relation to the incident, driver Pedro Quintana-Lujan, 26, of Phoenix, was in jail custody on a $250,000 bond as he faced multiple charges:
● two counts of reckless manslaughter; a felony 2
● three counts of aggravated assault, deadly weapon; a felony 3
● 18 counts of endangerment; a felony 6
● two counts of accident, serious physical injury or death; a misdemeanor
What led to the wreck?
According to police statements and court records, Quintana-Lujan was traveling south on the bridge when, according to what he told police, his Ford F-250’s steering was locked upon the vehicle drifting to the right and into the cyclists.
Quintana-Lujan let off the gas, regaining control of the truck before stopping in the middle of the bridge, according to charging documents. He told police at one point he was driving 40-45 mph, later estimating his speed was 45-50 mph, according to documents.
Goodyear Police Chief Santiago Rodriguez said there was no indication Quintana-Lujan intentionally struck the cyclists or whether speed or impairment were factors.
Police obtained a blood sample from Quintana-Lujan, Rodriguez said. Quintana-Lujan, according to court documents, told police he was headed from Chandler to a contractor job site, telling investigators he smoked marijuana roughly 11 hours before the crash.
How many bicyclists die in accidents?
Statewide in 2021, there were 1,027 crashes involving non-motorized bicycles, according to the most recent data released by the Arizona Department of Transportation. In those crashes, 45 cyclists died.
Arizona has long been near the top of the list nationally for bike deaths. Often, the cycling community memorialized scenes of fatal collisions with “ghost bikes,” bicycles painted entirely in white.
Cyclists often come together to demand safety measures after a fatal crash. That’s what happened in August when a popular orange-vested Phoenix ambassador, Hans Hughes was fatally struck on Fillmore Street between Central and Seventh avenues. The city installed new bike lanes as a result.
How can you help?
A GoFundMe purportedly benefitting West Valley Cycle’s injured had amassed more than $90,000 of its $120,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon. The fundraiser is trying to shore up $10,000 for each of 12 bicyclists injured.