PHOENIX — One person is dead and two are hurt after a crash involving three motorcycles in north Phoenix.
Phoenix police say around 2:30 a.m., they received a call about a crash at 51st Avenue and Union Hills Drive.
A vehicle driven by 33-year-old Jaimie Arce was reportedly going south on 51st Avenue and ran a red light, making a left turn onto Union Hills in front of four motorcycle riders going west on Union Hills Drive.
Police say one man, 19-year-old Tucker Colby, died of his injuries. A second man was seriously hurt, and a third man suffered minor injuries. The fourth rider was able to avoid the crash.
Arce was booked into the Maricopa County Jail. Police say she showed signs consistent with impairment.
Police continue to investigate what led up to the crash.
After the crash, friends and family came to the intersection where it happened to share stories about Colby.
"He stopped a thief in the neighborhood where he lived once," said his uncle David Collins.
Carson Smith was riding with Colby. He survived the crash with just road rash. The real pain is the loss of his best friend who was training to be an EMT helicopter pilot.
"From the numerous times in high school we got into fights just protecting kids that were bigger than them," said Smith.
When asked about his feelings toward the driver charged with manslaughter in connection with the crash, Smith said he "can't really pin a feeling on someone like that. I don't think that's what [Colby] would want."
Smith hopes to honor his best friend by advocating for motorcycle safety.
There were 163 deadly motorcycle crashes in 2020, according to ADOT.
The family has set up a GoFundMeto help cover funeral costs.
