SHOW LOW, AZ — Police have identified the truck driver who struck multiple cyclists in Show Low Saturday morning.
Police officials say a black Ford F-150 truck hit a group of bicyclists in front of the Horne Auto Collision Center during the 13th Annual Bike the Bluff Championship Arizona State Road Race.
The cyclists were participating in the Master Men ages 55 and older category.
PHOTOS: Bicyclists struck, driver shot in Show Low
Authorities say the driver then drove off and officers tried to stop him. A short time later, he was shot in the area of 3rd Drive and Oliver.
Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Shawn Michael Chock, a White Mountain Lakes resident. He remains at a hospital in stable condition.
As of Sunday, seven cyclists remain hospitalized:
- 3 cyclists in critical condition at Flagstaff Medical Center
- 1 cyclist in critical condition at University Medical Center of New Mexico
- 2 cyclists in critical condition at Banner Medical Center-Phoenix
- 1 cyclist at Summit Healthcare remains stable
Police said two others were hurt in the crash but were able to take themselves to a hospital.
Jim Volkenant, who was riding in the race, witnessed Chock driving toward him and the other cyclists, and was narrowly missed by the truck before it crashed into the cyclists behind.
"I could see the occupant in the vehicle with his head down," said Volkenant, describing the moments leading up to the crash. " I had noticed that about eight yards in front of me. It looked like he was looking down at his lap."
Volkenant described the sound of Chock's truck hitting the cyclists and the crackling of bikes as nightmarish. After the initial collision, Volkenant said Chock came too, and the two locked eyes.
"It was a look I will never forget. Staring like there was nothing there," said Volkenant. "It was the fear of evil. It was the fear of, to get out of here."
Volkenant said from there, Chock reversed his truck, hitting a nearby garage, shifted to drive and drove into a light pole, then drove in reverse one more time, running over two or three more cyclists, before speeding off on Deuce of Clubs.
"The destruction this person caused was absolutely horrific," he said.
Court documents show that Shawn Chock plead guilty to two separate Aggravated DUI charges in 2010 and 2013. Show Police has not commented on whether Chock was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Show Low Police has turned over the investigation to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating what led to the incident.
In a Facebook post, the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District said multiple ground and air resources responded to the area.
A GoFundMe account has been set for the victims. If you would like to donate, click here.
