The Tucson Police Department is investigating a fatal collision involving a vehicle and a bicycle that occurred Thursday morning at Oracle Road and Jacinto Street.
The incident began at 12:23 a.m. when a witness to the incident contacted Tucson Police to report the collision. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and the witness followed, providing a description and direction of travel to police. The witness reported that the suspect vehicle had been abandoned in the area of Grant Road and Silverbell Road.
Officers located a 58-year old male bicyclist later identified as James Frankiewicz, at Oracle Road and Jacinto Street who had been struck by a vehicle. He was transported to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival. Officers also located the suspect vehicle at an apartment complex at 2299 North Silverbell Road. As they continued to investigate, they located the suspect driver at her home in the same complex.
Traffic Detectives responded to continue the investigation. They learned that the bicyclist was traveling southbound on Oracle Road in the bike lane. A 1996 Honda 4-door passenger car was traveling southbound on Oracle Road in the curb lane. The passenger car went into the bike lane and struck the bicyclist from the rear. When located, the suspect showed signs and symptoms of intoxication and a DUI investigation was completed.
The suspect was identified as 23-year old Nichole Jacinto. She was booked into the Pima County Jail for 1 count of 2nd Degree Murder and 1 count of Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Collision.
| Fatalities | 2013 | 2014 |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 7 |
| Bicycle | 1 | 3 |
| Motorcycle | 5 | 1 |