Before dawn on Wednesday, a quiet Tempe block turned chaotic when a Jeep slammed into the front of a home, crushed the entryway, then took off into the dark. The impact left the doorway bowed inward and the homeowners suddenly dealing with a crime scene instead of a normal morning.
The couple, identified as Ashley and Jason Turnquist, told Arizona's Family they were jolted awake by their barking dogs, only to find serious damage to their front door area. They said the driver managed to throw the Jeep into reverse and speed away before they could get a clear look at who was behind the wheel.
Early-morning crash, driver on the run
KNXV reported the crash happened at about 4:45 a.m. in a neighborhood near the Superstition Freeway (US 60) and Rural Road, and that the vehicle took off immediately afterward. "The dogs started going crazy," the homeowner said in the station's video. Tempe police are now pulling local surveillance footage and knocking on doors, looking for anyone who might have seen or recorded the hit-and-run.
What police are asking
Investigators are urging anyone who was in the Superstition Freeway and Rural Road area around the time of the crash to check dash-cam, security or doorbell video and share anything that might help, according to Arizona's Family. So far, authorities have not released identifying information about the driver or the Jeep beyond the basic description given in the broadcast.
Arizona law on hit-and-run
Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in Arizona. When a collision causes only property damage, it is generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor under A.R.S. 28-662. If a crash results in serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony under A.R.S. 28-661. For the statutory language and possible penalties, see A.R.S. 28-662 and A.R.S. 28-661.
Neighbors and past incidents
Residents say this is not the first time an early-morning crash has rattled the neighborhood, with past incidents sometimes tied to speeding or suspected impairment. A prior Tempe case in 2023, when a suspected DUI driver crashed into a home, was documented by FOX 10 Phoenix, a reminder of why some neighbors keep pushing for clearer and stricter traffic enforcement in the area.
Tempe police say they are still canvassing the neighborhood, and that even small details such as a partial license plate, a distinctive bumper sticker or fresh body damage could be key to tracking down the Jeep, according to KNXV. The Turnquists are working with their insurance company and contractors to assess the structural damage, while neighbors hope someone comes forward with the clue that finally leads investigators to the driver.
