Tucson police responded just after midnight Saturday to a crash at the intersection of East Speedway Boulevard and North Richey Boulevard that left a 19-year-old motorcyclist dead. Emergency crews from the Tucson Fire Department arrived on scene and transported the rider to Banner University Medical Center, where he later died. Police subsequently identified the victim as Jaycob Christopher Nieto and said his family has been notified.
Tucson Police vehicle outside the scene of a crash at East Speedway Boulevard and North Richey Boulevard, where a 19-year-old motorcyclist died.
Officers at the scene described the collision as involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle. Police said the passenger vehicle was a silver 2012 Hyundai Tucson that was turning left from westbound Speedway onto southbound Richey when it was struck by the motorcycle, which was traveling eastbound. Authorities provided those vehicle details while describing the movements that preceded the impact.
Witness accounts relayed to investigators indicated the motorcyclist was traveling well above the posted speed limit at the time of the crash, police said. That statement reflects what witnesses told officers who responded to the intersection after receiving reports of the collision just after midnight.
Police also released information about the motorcyclist’s credentials and safety precautions. They said Nieto held a valid motorcycle endorsement and was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred. Those details were provided by officers as part of the initial information released about the rider.
Information about the driver of the Hyundai also was disclosed by police. The driver, a 60-year-old, was not found to be impaired, officials said. No further details about injuries to the driver or any passengers were provided in the initial account released by officers.
Tucson police and fire personnel handled the scene response, and the rider was transported to Banner University Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police identified the victim as Jaycob Christopher Nieto and confirmed his family had been notified. The facts released by officers included the vehicles involved, witness reports about the motorcycle's speed, the rider’s valid endorsement and helmet use, and the determination that the Hyundai driver was not impaired.
According to KVOA, investigators determined the Hyundai driver's failure to yield on the left turn and the motorcyclist's excessive speed were contributing factors, with the probe continuing and no charges issued so far. Any impairment on Nieto's part will be evaluated through medical records.