PEORIA, Ariz. — A woman, later identified as 33-year-old Nicole Cortez, was found dead beside her vehicle on an off-ramp to Peoria on Dec. 19 following a hit-and-run, a spokesman with the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.
On the morning of Dec. 19 at about 2:40 a.m., DPS troopers were called to the southbound SR 101 off-ramp to Peoria for reports that a woman was lying in the roadway.
There, troopers found Cortez lying deceased beside a gold-colored Mitsubishi Gallant that had been parked in the middle of the off-ramp.
Authorities said that the vehicle had its hazard lights on, and its doors were open.
DPS officials are considering this as a hit-and-run case.
DPS said Monday that the suspect had been arrested and taken into custody.
Authorities ask that anyone with information call DPS at 602-223-2212.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for more updates.
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