UPDATE: 2 p.m.: A letter from LD17 Arizona State Senator-Elect Vince Leach confirms the victim in Friday morning's car crash was the same John McLean who ran and lost to Leach for the seat.
The statement reads:
"My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean family for their tragic loss today. John was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate. My deepest condolences go out to John's family and friends in this most difficult time. As a third-generation Arizonan, the lives John positively touched during his life are incalculable, and we should all be so fortunate to do the same."
A statement from the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said John McLean stepped up for his community.
"Whether as a business leader, volunteer, or humanitarian for the causes he was passionate about, John always did the hard work of bringing people together to serve the common good."
Only yesterday, McLean posted the following on his Facebook page:
"It has been an honor and a privilege to run as the Democratic candidate for the LD17 Senate seat. While the outcome isn’t what we hoped for, I am proud of the work that so many people put into our campaign. Volunteers, donors, staff, and supporters of all stripes put in an incredible effort to reach voters in all corners of our district, and I am humbled and deeply grateful. I am also thankful for the many citizens who answered the door and engaged in thoughtful conversations on the pressing issues facing our state."
"Congratulations to my colleague Kevin Volk, who won his race and will be an outstanding LD17 representative in the state house. He has been the best campaign partner anyone could hope for."
"Despite my loss in the political arena, I will continue to work with my neighbors across LD17 to ensure a brighter future for all Arizonans."
McLean was a third-generation Arizonan and a graduate of the University of Arizona.
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UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Tucson Police have identified the man who died in Friday morning's car crash as 68-year-old John McLean.
According to a news release from Tucson Police, McLean was driving his 2019 Toyota Rav4 east on Broadway at around 6 a.m. when his vehicle was struck by a 2018 Ford Explorer driving north on North Ridgeside Drive.
The driver of the other car, 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel, allegedly failed to stop at the stop sign, the news release said.
Creel allegedly struck the passenger side of McLean's vehicle as it passed the intersection. McLean was declared dead at the scene. Creel was not seriously injured.
Tucson Police determined Creel was impaired at the time of the crash. He was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated DUI.
The investigation is ongoing.
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One person is dead following a crash at East Broadway and North Ridgeside Drive on Tucson's far east side.
Tucson Police advise on social media that commuters should expect delays in that area.
