A Florence man has been arrested in connection with a deadly crash in San Tan Valley that left a 23-year-old woman dead and sent three other people to hospitals, Pinal County authorities said. The victim has been identified as Kyrsten Sovereign. Law enforcement officials said the driver left the scene following the collision and was later taken into custody on multiple felony charges.
The collision occurred on Hunt Highway near Magma Road at about 4:20 p.m., county officials said. Responding crews found multiple people injured at the scene; Sovereign was pronounced dead. Three other individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment, and authorities have not released information about their conditions. Investigators have described the crash as deadly and said the investigation remains active.
Pinal County detectives identified the person who was driving and ultimately arrested 58-year-old Dave Gilbert Loescher of Florence. Officials say Loescher faces multiple felony charges related to the crash and the decision to leave the scene. Deputies and detectives worked to locate the suspected vehicle in the hours after the collision, and that effort culminated in an arrest that authorities described as both quick and safe.
Investigators relied on technology as well as community assistance to track the suspect's vehicle. Authorities described the vehicle as a 2024 dark blue Nissan Titan Platinum Edition. License plate reader cameras deployed in the area “played a critical role in verifying that the suspected vehicle was located within the local area,” Pinal County officials said. In addition to the automated camera system, officials credited tips from citizens for helping to narrow the search and bring it to a conclusion.
Sheriff Ross Teeple issued a statement thanking the public, the media and technology partners for their role in the investigation. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families during this unimaginably difficult time,” Teeple said. “We are incredibly grateful for the partnership between our community, the media, and the modern technology that allowed our detectives to take this suspect into custody quickly and safely.” The sheriff’s office said detectives remain engaged in the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
Authorities have not released additional details about the identities or conditions of the three people who were taken to hospitals. Nor have officials provided information about where the suspect was located at the time of arrest, the specific felony charges filed, or any potential contributing factors to the collision. Those details, Pinal County authorities said, are part of an active investigation that is continuing.
Aerial view of the crash scene in San Tan Valley, Pinal County, where a 23-year-old woman was killed; inset shows the mugshot of the Florence man taken into custody in connection with the hit-and-run.
Detectives asked anyone with information, footage or photos of the crash to come forward to assist with the probe. Law enforcement officials reiterated that community cooperation and technological tools together aided in identifying and locating the suspected vehicle in the hours after the fatal collision. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said it will release more information as it becomes available and as investigators complete their work to determine the sequence of events that led to the deadly crash and the subsequent decision by authorities to file felony charges.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case; investigators said they were able to move quickly after the crash occurred. For now, the county is awaiting further investigative results, and next steps will include compiling evidence and finalizing charges related to the fatal collision on Hunt Highway. Authorities emphasized their sympathy for the victims’ families and reiterated that the investigation is ongoing while they continue to gather facts and interview witnesses.