On January 26, 2017, just before 8:00 p.m., Tucson Police officers and members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to East Speedway Boulevard and North Arcadia Avenue for a report of a hit and run collision involving a pedestrian, 57-year-old Nelson Begay Six.
Upon arrival, they located Mr. Begay Six in the roadway. Tucson Fire immediately transported Mr. Begay Six to Banner University Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Shortly after arrival at the hospital, Mr. Begay Six passed away.
Detectives were able to determine that Mr. Begay Six was walking southbound across E. Speedway Boulevard at the intersection of N. Arcadia Avenue. He was crossing at the east portion of the intersection in an unmarked crosswalk area. The west portion of the intersection has a painted crosswalk and is equipped with a HAWK light for pedestrians. Mr. Begay Six was struck in the curb lane of eastbound traffic. The vehicle involved fled from the scene immediately after the collision.
A witness called 911 and described the vehicle involved as a dark colored Audi. Detectives were able to determine that the vehicle would most likely have significant front-end damage, to include a shattered windshield. That information was provided to the local media, who then shared those details with the public.
On the morning of January 27, 2017, the owner of a dark colored Audi, 26-year-old Alexander Newton, called 911 to report his vehicle stolen. A short time later, a local citizen called police after noticing a dark colored Audi parked in her neighborhood with front-end damage and a shattered windshield. The citizen advised she had watched the hit and run story on the news and recognized the vehicle. Detectives responded and were able to connect the vehicle to the hit and run collision. As they continued their investigation, they were able to determine that Newton had been operating the vehicle at the time of the collision.
Newton was booked into the Pima County Jail on one felony count of “Failure to Remain at a Collision Causing a Fatality.”
It is uncertain at this time if speed or impairments were a factor in the collision.