TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The suspect involved in Thursday's crash on East Grant Road and North First Avenue was going 132 mph at one point.
The driver is identified as 27-year-old Michael Jesus Luera.
According to a witness, Luera was speeding from Tucson's downtown area to the intersection where the crash happened.
A witness reported the BMW swerving in and out of traffic and switching lanes when there was no traffic.
TPD reports Luera was going 132 mph on I-10 northbound and Grant Road eastbound.
Officers noticed Luera's indications and symptoms of impairment. A strong smell of intoxicants on his breath and red bloodshot eyes were among the indications and symptoms.
Luera was aggressive and tried to flee from the scene.
He has been booked into the Pima County Jail with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of engagement, and two counts of
criminal damage.
Luera is being held on a 50,000 bond.
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Updated on September 28, 2023 at 4:04 p.m.
Tucson Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on East Grant Road and North First Avenue, just before 1 a.m. early Thursday.
Officers say the occupants of a green Subaru, two females, were taken to Banner UMC with life-threatening injuries.
Two occupants from a 2023 BMW were also taken to Banner with injuries. The driver is 27-year-old and the passenger, 26.
According to TPD, the BMW driver was driving eastbound on Grant Road, going almost triple-digit speeds when he ran the red light, hitting the Subaru which was driving northbound on First Avenue.
The crash split the Subaru in half, while the BMW proceeded eastward before coming to a stop and catching fire.
The crash caused also damage to a Toyota Camry heading westbound on Grant Road.
Officers said the driver of the BMW was impaired at the time of the crash, according to the news release.
The injuries sustained by the Subaru driver and passenger are no longer considered to be life-threatening.
Investigators determined that the BMW driver's failure to stop at a red light, the driver's speeding and impaired driving all contributed to the collision, according to the news release.
When released from the hospital, the driver of the BMW will be booked into the Pima County Jail on suspicion of numerous felony charges, the news release said.
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A serious three-vehicle collision at East Grant Road and North First Avenue just before 1 a.m. Thursday morning has led to traffic backups in Midtown.
Details are limited, but Tucson Police are reporting multiple people have been transported to the hospital and impairment is a factor.
The intersection remains closed.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
