A Phoenix driver who was drunk and flying down Interstate 10 when he plowed into a motorcycle, killing the rider and sparking a car fire, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. The victim, 42-year-old Craig Cooper, leaves behind a wife and two children who have been publicly mourning the loss.
Judge Hands Down 16-Year Prison Term
On Thursday, 22-year-old Andrew Ramirez-Perez admitted in court that he caused the deadly collision and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the September 2024 crash. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge sentenced him to a 16-year prison term, according to 12 News. Prosecutors said the plea deal resolved the second-degree murder charge that followed the crash.
High-Speed Impact On I-10
The crash unfolded in the early morning hours of September 22, 2024, on eastbound I-10 near 39th Avenue. Troopers said they saw a white Toyota Camry barreling down the freeway at high speed before it slammed into Cooper's motorcycle.
Investigators later found that the car kept going for about a mile after the impact before it caught fire. Breath tests for Ramirez-Perez reportedly showed readings around .14 to .15, roughly twice Arizona's legal limit, and troopers found an empty alcohol container in the vehicle, according to ABC15.
Family Grieves A Husband And Father
Cooper's family has described him as a devoted husband and father and said his death has left them "ripped apart" in interviews with local media. Friends created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. Relatives and friends have repeatedly called for accountability as prosecutors pursued the more serious murder charge, according to reporting by FOX10 Phoenix.
Prior Case And Legal Fallout
In court, prosecutors highlighted Ramirez-Perez's speed and level of impairment as aggravating factors in pushing for a lengthy sentence. Court records also showed he already had a pending DUI criminal-speed case from July in nearly the same stretch of I-10, prosecutors said.
The plea agreement and 16-year sentence, first reported by 12 News, effectively close the criminal case for now, even as the Cooper family continues to grieve.
The deadly crash and subsequent sentencing have renewed attention on reckless speeding along Valley freeways. Hoodline's earlier coverage captured the family's grief and detailed the investigation into the case. Authorities have not released any timetable for a potential appeal or related civil actions.
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