A military and law enforcement veteran was identified as the man killed in a crash involving a group of motorcyclists in Tonopah last week.
In addition, an Avondale man turned himself in to sheriff’s deputies upon learning his actions led to the death of a motorcyclist and injuries to another.
The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 18 near Wintersburg Road and Van Buren Street in the Tonopah area.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, a silver Toyota Prius was traveling southbound on Wintersburg when it passed a semi tractor-trailer by moving into the northbound lane on a clearly marked “no passing zone.”
Already in the northbound lane was a group of five motorcyclists. MCSO said the Prius drove onto the dirt shoulder to avoid hitting the motorcycles.
However, one of the motorcyclists lost control and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer, MCSO said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His motorcycle also collided with the motorcycle of a 62-year-old woman, who sustained injuries to her left leg, records state. She was taken to Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear.
MCSO identified the deceased Wednesday as Brian Hoyt, 65. According to an obituary, Mr. Hoyt served time in the U.S. Army, the Army Reserves, and the National Guard. He also spent time in law enforcement.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Hoyt is 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26 at Christ’s Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Road in Peoria.
Prius driver leaves area
The driver of the Prius continued on the dirt shoulder and never stopped, MCSO said. Witnesses could not provide a license plate.
However, authorities learned the vehicle had a Veyo placard. Veyo is a company providing people transportation to their non-emergency medical appointments.
MCSO contacted Veyo about the vehicle’s description and received a list of matching vehicles. On Saturday, a detective located a silver 2010 Toyota Prius in front of an Avondale home where 33-year-old Miguel Lopez resides. An attempt to contact the residents was unsuccessful.
Around 2 p.m. the following day, Mr. Lopez contacted MCSO through his attorney. They made arrangements to bring the vehicle to MCSO’s Vehicular Crimes Unit office in west Phoenix.
Mr. Lopez admitted to being in the area of the Thursday afternoon collision. He said he was not aware a traffic collision occurred until someone called him days later.
Mr. Lopez was jailed in lieu of a $2,500 bond on one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
An official with BAM Communications and speaking on behalf of Veyo confirmed Mr. Lopez has acted as an independent contractor for Veyo. However, due to the ongoing investigation, additional information won’t be provided.
“We are actively cooperating with authorities to provide any information needed,” the official stated. “As reference, those who drive for Veyo are not contracted as company employees.”
Mr. Lopez is due in court Oct. 29 and 31.
Family and friends celebrate Hoyt
According to his obituary, Mr. Hoyt joined the U.S. Army Military Police Corps after high school, followed by time with the U.S. Army Reserves and the National Guard. He was honorably discharged with 21 years of service.
He later served as a deputy sheriff, police chief, private investigator, and a mentor of at-risk youth. Mr. Hoyt served 20 years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
He is survived by his wife, two children, two sisters, among others.
A group of motorcyclists plan to ride from a gas station to Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria Oct. 26 for Mr. Hoyt’s Celebration of Life.
