TUCSON, Ariz. - Pima County Sheriff's deputies shut down northbound La Cholla Boulevard Wednesday due to a morning wreck that left a pedestrian dead.
PCSD says the call came in at around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday near Fountains Avenue and La Cholla. Responding deputies found the pedestrian -- 20-year-old Geoffrey Velez -- in the road, apparently hit by a car. They tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators ultimately arrested 30-year-old Maurice Williams for manslaughter and driving under the influence. He was booked into Pima County Jail.
Williams made his initial appearance in video court Wednesday night. Although he was arrested for impaired driving and admitted to alcohol consumption earlier in the evening, he was not charged with a DUI. Williams is scheduled to appear in court again on January 21, 2020.
Family members told KGUN9 Velez was drinking on New Year's Eve, and chose to walk home instead of drive. They describe him as a great uncle with a big heart.
According to the department, the road was closed from Sunset Road to Fountains Avenue for a few hours.
