QUEEN CREEK, AZ – A deadly accident in Queen Creek has taken the life of a 4-year-old girl, leading to the arrest of the driver held responsible. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, when a minivan halted at a stop sign at Hunt Highway and Power Road, it was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling at a speed of nearly 60 mph.
The minivan had two children and their father inside when it was hit. The 4-year-old girl, referred to as Lily, who was critically injured in the crash, was airlifted to a hospital. Despite the best efforts of medics, Lily passed away on Thursday. Her father and elder brother, 6-year-old Luke, were also in the vehicle but survived the crash without serious injuries.
Jason Sanchez, 33, was identified as the driver of the other vehicle, a black Jeep Wrangler. It was found that he had not attempted to brake before the impact and had a blood alcohol level of 0.111 at the time of the incident. Court documents indicate that Sanchez confessed to having consumed three or four beers at San Tan Mountain Casino before setting out to drive home.
Sanchez has now been charged with aggravated assault, DUI, and second-degree murder following Lily’s death. His bond has been set at $100,000.
The family is working through their grief and cherishing their memories of Lily, remembered as a “ray of sunshine.” A GoFundMe has been created in order to assist with medical and funeral expenses.