TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — UPDATE 2:03 p.m.
Staff from the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson have confirmed the 51-year-old motorcyclist killed in this collision was Justin Cetas, MD, PhD and Chair of Neurosurgery at UArizona.
They have issued the following statement following Cetas' death:
On behalf of everyone at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner – University Medicine, we would like to express our most sincere sympathies to Dr. Cetas’ family and loved ones.
We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic event that is so difficult to process, as we come together to grieve his passing.
Dr. Cetas was an alumnus of the college and a talented neurosurgeon who dedicated his life to caring for others. He was also a skilled educator, respected researcher, trusted colleague and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Tucson Police Department is looking into a fatal motorcycle collision which happened in the 2900 block of South Kino Parkway.
Public Information Officer Sergeant Richard Gradillas told KGUN 9 the crash involving a black 2021 BMW R18 motorcycle and a white 2005 Ford F650 tow truck happened Wednesday afternoon just after 1.
He says the 51-year-old victim Justin Schultz Cetas was heading north on Kino Parkway in the median lane when the driver of a tow tuck tried to make a left turn in front of the motorcyclist.
Sgt. Gradillas reveals that's when the Cetas hit the rear passenger side of the tow truck.
Tucson Firefighters transported the victim to the Banner University Medical Center, where medical staff later pronounced him dead.
According to officers, the tow truck driver immediately stopped and cooperated with police. They also reported the driver was not impaired.
Investigators determined the tow truck driver failing to yield was the "major contributing factor," Sgt. Gradillas confirms.
This ups 2022's motorcycle fatalities to 13.
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Caleb Fernández is a digital content producer for KGUN 9. After earning his bachelor's degree from Penn State in Advertising/Public Relations, Caleb went to New York where he learned production assistance, photography and art direction. Share your story ideas and important issues with Caleb by emailing caleb.fernandez@kgun9.com or by connecting on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
