SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — Authorities say a 17-year-old boy is facing three counts of first-degree murder charges after he fled from a sheriff's deputy and lost control of the car, crashing and killing three teen passengers.
Juan Sanchez, 17, was arrested after the pursuit ended with a crash southeast of the Phoenix area.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says a deputy tried to stop a car that had an expired registration and was speeding in San Tan Valley on Tuesday morning.
The car pulled away at a high speed. Sanchez was driving and lost control and the car crashed into a concrete barrier.
Officials say 18-year-old Amonte Deshawn Jones of Mesa and 18-year-old Chase James Bulmahn of San Tan Valley were killed in the crash.
A 16-year-old was also killed in the crash but officials are not releasing his name because he is a minor.
All three passengers were not wearing seat belts, officials say.
Investigators say they found drugs and several guns including an AR15 and an MP40 style submachine gun inside the car.
Sanchez is being held at the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility.
12 News contributed to this report.
