Police have released more information on a pickup vs. pedestrian crash that claimed the life of a semi truck driver in Phoenix last week.
The crash occurred around 8 a.m. on Friday, October 7, in north Phoenix, Arizona, when a semi truck driver pulled off of northbound I-17 near the Happy Valley Road Exit to check his load.
As the truck driver stood on the shoulder, he was struck by a pickup truck driven by Jared Todd Garrett, 57, and later died at the scene. The identity of the truck driver has not been released.
New reporting from 3TV says that Garrett appeared to have tried to take the Happy Valley Road Exit moments before hitting the truck driver.
Garrett allegedly fled the scene but was followed by another driver who witnessed the crash. The driver told Garrett to return to the scene.
Upon returning to the scene, police observed damage to Garrett’s pickup as well as blood and a shoe mark. Police also noted that Garrett was slurring his speech and having trouble standing.
Garrett was then arrested on a count of reckless manslaughter.
3TV reports that Garrett admitted to taking Percocet and oxycodone prior to the crash. When police searched Garrett’s pickup, they reportedly found a container of Percocet in addition to Garrett having pills on his person.