As the one-year mark approaches for a horrific cycling accident in Goodyear that left two dead and nearly 20 injured, the pain and disappointment linger among the victims and their families. The terrible incident occurred on February 25, 2023, when a pickup driver crashed into a group of cyclists on the Cotton Lane Bridge. Despite the suspect claiming his steering wheel locked, investigations did not support this claim, leading to profound frustration among those affected. ABC15 reported Clay Wells, a survivor, expressing disbelief at the lack of charges: "When you see the images of that day and the bodies, and the wreckage and the carnage, and you can’t prove recklessness? I really, I don’t have any respect for that."
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has recently determined not to file felony charges against Pedro Quintana-Lujan, the suspected driver, citing a lack of evidence. Instead, the case has been referred back to the city prosecutor's office for possible misdemeanor charges. It is a twist in the case that continues to cause heartache, considering the breadth of casualties and the loss of life. In a statement obtained by ABC15, the Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, "The crash Quintana-Lujan caused was horrific. He took away lives and left so many more people badly injured and deeply traumatized."
Reflecting the sentiment of the victims' community, Steve Malisa, whose wife Karen was among those killed, is profoundly disappointed by the County Attorney's decision not to pursue stronger charges. "I would think that something of that magnitude would have a little difference but that’s what disappoints me the most is that so many people are affected. It’s not just the eighteen people, it’s the families. It’s people all over the state that responded," he told ABC15.
While the broader cycling community joins in remembrance of the tragic event and to offer mutual support, Goodyear police express their determined stance on the case. They continue to believe the evidence supports charges, and despite their disappointment, they remain dedicated to pursuing a just outcome for the victims and their families. The case potentially moves forward with misdemeanor charges as the City Prosecutor’s Office considers its next actions, with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office officially declining felony charges. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board investigation continues, according to statements from NTSB spokespersons to ABC15.
