GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Thursday her office won't be prosecuting the driver who caused a crash in Goodyear that injured a group of bicyclists, killing two of them.
In a statement, Mitchell said there was insufficient evidence to convict Pedro Quintana-Lujan for any felony charges connected to the February crash on Cotton Lane Bridge.
Goodyear police said the driver struck the barrier wall on the side of the bridge and traveled for roughly 520 feet before finally coming to a stop. Quintana-Lujan told investigators his steering wheel had locked.
The driver's vehicle plowed into a large group of cyclists traveling over the bridge. Many of the cyclists sustained injuries and two of them passed away.
The deceased were identified as 61-year-old Karen Malisa of Goodyear and 65-year-old David Kero of Michigan.
Police had initially attempted to submit charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault against Quintana-Lujan, but the county attorney won't be pursuing the case.
"MCAO’s review of evidence concluded Quintana-Lujan was not speeding, did not have alcohol in his system, and was not driving while distracted at the time of the crash," Mitchell said in a statement.
Though the driver had a small amount of THC in his system, Mitchell said Arizona law does not set a standard for proving impairment by THC only.
Mitchell said she is referring the case to the city prosecutor's office who can determine whether they will make their own charging decision.
The Goodyear Police Department released a statement expressing their disappointment over Mitchell's decision. The department remains "confident" in their investigation and the evidence, facts and circumstances that the department believes meets the statutory elements for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.
"The Goodyear Police Department remains dedicated to this case and the individuals impacted," the press release said.
Once the department receives the Maricopa County Attorney's official document declining the felony charges, the Goodyear Police Department will then submit the case to city officials for the filing of potential misdemeanor charges, the press release states.
*Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast*
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