Man Charged With Leaving Scene Of Fatal Collision In Tucson

TUCSON, AZ —A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal collision after the car he was driving allegedly collided with a pedestrian on Saturday in Tucson, the Tucson Police Department said.

Andy Otero was booked into Pima County Jail on felony charges relating to his conduct after the incident. The collision resulted in the death of 20-year-old Benjamin Wolfe Davis near the University of Arizona campus.

Charges have not been filed against Otero relating to the crash, which remains under investigation, police said. Police also said the vehicle Otero is believed to have been driving at the time of the fatal collision was reported stolen by its owner.

According to TPD reports, at approximately 1:43 a.m. Saturday, officers from the TPD's Operations Division West responded to the intersection of N. Mountain Ave. and E. Speedway Blvd. after the report of a pedestrian collision.

At the scene, they found University of Arizona Police Department officers rendering aid to an adult male pedestrian. Tucson Fire Department personnel transported the pedestrian —later identified as Davis —to Banner University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead soon after his arrival.

TPD Traffic Unit detectives conducted an investigation into the incident, using interviews and roadway evidence, and determined Davis had been trying to cross Speedway Boulevard in or near a marked crosswalk, according to authorities.

Though it is not known which direction Davis was crossing, it is believed that he was struck by a gray 2016 Kia Optima, which was traveling westbound on Speedway Boulevard, where the light was green, police said.

The Kia fled the scene, according to reports, but was located unoccupied in a nearby parking lot.

While detectives conducted the investigation, the vehicle was reported stolen by its owner.

At the conclusion of interviews and the service of a search warrant, detectives identified Otero as the driver of the car and developed probable cause to make an arrest, the TPD said.

Investigators also said they believe Davis crossing against a traffic signal was a major contributing factor in the collision.