MESA, Ariz — A 21-year-old man is facing murder charges after he allegedly drove over 100 mph through Mesa and caused a fatal crash that killed an elderly couple.
Gezane Izreal Cabanillas-Lape was arrested Tuesday by Mesa police after crashing his car near Main Street and Gilbert Road at about 5:30 p.m.
Police said Cabanillas-Lape was speeding up to 100 mph on a street with a speed limit of 45 mph before hitting a vehicle driven by 80-year-old Irma Hettich.
Hettich's 82-year-old husband, Ronald, was riding as a passenger and died at the scene of the collision. Irma died from her injuries at a local hospital.
Cabanillas-Lape did not show any signs of impairment but his speeding is considered to be a contributing factor to the crash, police said.
The driver has been booked into jail on two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault.
EN ESPAÑOL: Conductor de Mesa enfrenta cargos de asesinato después de conducir a 100 mph y matar a 2 personas
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Driving Safety Tips:
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) offers driving tips to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.
Deaths on Arizona roadways:
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths