On February 19, 2016, around 6:10 p.m., Tucson Police Department officers and members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to a report of a collision involving a motorcycle on South Santa Clara Avenue and West Calle Aragon. Officers arrived on scene and located two adult males and one adult female involved in the collision. Members from the Tucson Fire Department were on scene rendering aid. Both males were transported to Banner University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The female was pronounced deceased on scene.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They were able to determine the collision involved an adult male driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck and an adult male driving 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle with an adult female passenger. Detectives learned the driver of the truck was traveling southbound on Santa Clara Avenue from West Valencia Road. The driver was slowing to make an eastbound turn onto West Calle Aragon when he was struck from behind by the driver of the motorcycle, causing the truck to rollover. The motorcycle driver and rider were both thrown and were not wearing helmets. Speed and alcohol were factors in this collision.
Officers noted signs and symptoms of impairment on the driver of the motorcycle. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was arrested for Manslaughter and two counts of Aggravated Assault with Serious Physical Injury. The driver has been identified as 36-year-old Rene Abeyta. He was transported and booked into the Pima County Jail. His booking photograph is provided.
The female rider has been identified as 36-year-old Ana Lisa Ordonez. Next of kin has been notified.