SCOTTSDALE, AZ — A Valley man is suspected of driving under the influence in a Saturday crash that left a 6-year-old and two adults dead in Scottsdale.
According to court records, Salt River police officers responded to the two-vehicle collision at Dobson and Chaparral roads around 9:35 p.m. Saturday night.
Police said a black SUV with front-end damage and a red sedan with rear-end damage were located at the scene, where it appeared the SUV had rear-ended the sedan at the stop sign.
Based on the damage to both vehicles, police believe the black SUV was traveling an estimated 56 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. No skid marks were seen, indicating the driver of the SUV had not used the brakes prior to impact, court documents stated.
Police on scene spoke with the SUV driver, identified as 46-year-old John McDonagh, and noted a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and body. When asked to complete a sobriety test, McDonagh refused and was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI.
Police say a 6-year-old child who was in the back seat of the red sedan, as well as a woman who was riding in the passenger seat of the car, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the sedan was transported to Honor Health Scottsdale Osborn Hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died.
McDonagh was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, extreme DUI, and speeding. Court records show McDonagh was also arrested for DUI in 2010.
Police said the female victim and the 6-year-old were both enrolled members of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. According to court records, because the crash occurred in the jurisdictional boundaries of the reservation, federal charges will be sent in the case.
