In a heartbreaking incident in Goodyear, Arizona, a man is behind bars after police say he was heavily intoxicated, leading to a fatal crash where his wife lost her life. Anthony Maiorana, aged 35, was arrested following the accident that occurred near a residential lake at Estrella Parkway and Willis Road, as confirmed by AZFamily.com. His wife, 35-year-old Megan Maiorana, was found lifeless inside the sunken vehicle on Friday night.
According to the reports, Anthony managed to escape the car before it was fully submerged. With a blood-alcohol content measured at .234, almost three times the legal limit, he is now facing charges including extreme DUI and reckless manslaughter. A dive team, unsure if there were additional passengers, confirmed Megan's presence inside the car, as Fox 10 Phoenix found out.
The couple, who had been married for nine years, lived just a short distance from where the tragedy unfolded. In front of a judge, it was revealed by Anthony's attorney that he is bipolar. Police also pointed out that speed was likely a contributing factor in the tragic crash, as per information obtained by AZFamily.com. Following his release from the hospital, Maiorana was booked into jail.
"This is more tragic than many of these cases we see come in here, given the fact this was someone that was in your vehicle with a very close relationship to you. However, I do have to take into account the very serious nature of the charge you are here for," the judge lamented during Maiorana's initial appearances. He was handed a $150,000 secured appearance bond and is to be placed on house arrest with ongoing alcohol monitoring. The judge also ruled that Anthony is not allowed to drive a car, according to the details shared by Fox 10 Phoenix.
With still many details unclear, including Anthony and Megan Maiorana’s whereabouts prior to the incident, the community has been left to grapple with the consequences of this tragedy. As the investigation continues, the effects of the accident and the subsequent loss ripple through the Goodyear neighborhood.
