Updated
On October 12, 2015, around 1:45 p.m., officers from Operations Division East and members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle in the area of East Pima Street and North Wilmot Road. Prior to police arrival, the adult male driver of the vehicle left the area and was detained by citizens a short distance away. Once on scene, officers took custody of the male and paramedics treated the adult female pedestrian. Sadly, the female was pronounced deceased on scene.
The pedestrian who was killed in the fatal collision has been identified as 22-year-old Rio Blackwell. Next of kin have been notified.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit responded to continue the investigation. They were able to determine the female pedestrian had been sitting on a bus bench on the north side of Pima just west of Wilmot. The driver of a 2006 Scion was eastbound on Pima Street approaching North Wilmot Road. The driver attempted to make an abrupt left turn towards an apartment complex on the north side of the road. However, the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck a raised median and went across the westbound lanes of Pima before striking the concrete bus bench where the female was sitting. Alcohol and drugs were a factor in the collision.
The driver has been identified as 34-year-old Colin Patterson. Mr. Patterson was booked into the Pima County Jail on the following charges:
- Manslaughter – Class 2 Felony
- Endangerment – Class 6 Felony
- Hit and Run Involving a Death – Class 5 Felony
- Criminal Damage – Class 5 Felony
- Possession of Marijuana – Class 6 Felony
- Possession of Paraphernalia – Class 6 Felony
Traffic fatalities Year-To-Date in Tucson is significantly higher than YTD in 2014. Overall 2015 is 80% above last year that was only 25 thru this date. Pedestrian deaths are up 36% to 11, while Bicycles are at 4 up 33%. The greatest increase is Motorcycles up 500% at 6 so far this year.