On March 21, 2016, just after 7:30 p.m., Tucson Police officers responded to a report of a collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle on East 22nd Street and South Turquoise Vista. Upon arrival, members from the Tucson Fire Department advised the rider of the motorcycle, 35-year-old Damian Whitelow, succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.
The adult male driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
Detectives responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They interviewed witnesses and collected evidence. They were able to determine the rider of a 2003 Honda motorcycle was eastbound 22nd Street in the curb lane, traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver of a white 2007 Chevrolet Silverado truck was westbound on 22nd Street making a southbound turn onto South Turquoise Vista. The rider struck the passenger side of the truck causing the motorcycle to catch fire. Witnesses on scene were able to extinguish the fire. The rider was not wearing a helmet.
The investigation is ongoing to determine if drugs or alcohol was a factor in this collision related to the rider. No signs of impairment were noted on the driver of the truck. Further investigation revealed the motorcycle was reported stolen on March 20, 2016.