Tempe police said impaired driving is to blame in a high-speed wreck early Monday morning that left one person dead and other person seriously injured.
According to Tempe investigators, a BMW was traveling more than 70 mph in a 40 mph zone around 2 a.m. along westbound University when it collided into the back of a Kia Soul.
"To actually see a high-speed crash like this and the serious injury and the aftermath that ensues, it is kind of startling," Tempe Police Sgt. Steve Carbajal said.
The crash caused the driver of the Kia to lose control of his or her vehicle and roll.
A passenger in the Kia Soul died; the driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Police are not releasing the victims' names until their families have been notified.
A witness told Tempe police that the people inside the BMW were able to crawl out of the vehicle's sunroof. The driver stayed behind, while the passenger ran off.
The driver of the BMW, identified as Stanley Chu, was arrested and faces preliminary charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault, endangerment and leaving the scene of a deadly collision.
Police said Chu admitted to drinking prior to getting behind the wheel. Detectives noted that he had blood-shot and watery eyes along with slurred speech.
"Alcohol and driving never mixes," Carbajal said. "You are not only endangering your life, but someone else's."
The passenger that ran off has yet to be located and taken into custody.
Records show Chu received numerous traffic violations last year.
"I know he had a white Mercedes Benz; that one got crashed," Chu's neighbor, A.J. Williams, said. "I don't know if he can drive very well."
