On August 12, 2016, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Tucson Police Department officers and members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to a serious injury bicycle collision at East Valencia Road and South Nexus Drive. Upon arrival, Tucson Fire transported the adult male bicyclist to Banner University Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Shortly after arrival at the hospital, the bicyclist was pronounced deceased. The vehicle involved fled from the scene.
Several witnesses provided detailed information to officers about the driver, the suspect vehicle and how the collision occurred. Officers immediately shared that information over the radio in an attempt to locate the suspect vehicle. An off-duty officer on his way home heard the information and spotted the vehicle driving on the roadway. The officer then coordinated responding marked units to the suspect’s location. Officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over. They were eventually able to stop the vehicle and detain the driver near Golf Links and Swan. Officers noticed signs and symptoms of impairment from the driver.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They were able to determine that the bicyclist was on the northeast corner of Valencia Road and Nexus Drive, waiting to cross southbound at the crosswalk. The suspect vehicle, a silver 2011 Dodge Avenger, was traveling westbound on Valencia Road, approaching the intersection. As the light turned red for westbound travel, the driver failed to stop and struck the bicyclist who had just entered the crosswalk. Speed and impairment appear to be factors in the collision.
The bicyclist has been identified as 58-year-old Scott Koch. Next of kin has been notified. The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Eric Joseph Corral. Corral was booked into the Pima County Jail on charges of 2nd Degree Murder, Fail to Stop for a Serious Injury Collision and Felony Fleeing. His booking photo is attached below.