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On January 3, 2024, around 10:00 p.m., patrol officers from Operations Division West and Tucson Fire Department Medics responded to the area of N. Stone Ave. and E. Jacinto St. for a serious-injury collision. Prior to their arrival, police were notified that a pickup had struck a pedestrian and fled the scene. TFD transported the female pedestrian to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Traffic Unit Detectives were contacted and responded to continue the investigation.
Interviews conducted by officers and detectives, in conjunction with roadway evidence, determined that the pedestrian was crossing Stone Ave. at Jacinto St. in an implied crosswalk when she was struck by a red 2006 Ford F-150. The Ford was traveling northbound on Stone and failed to stop. While officers were en route to the scene, they located the suspect vehicle near N. Oracle Rd. and W. Prince Rd. The driver was detained and an officer from the DUI Unit determined that the driver was impaired at the time of the collision. According to witness statements, the Ford did not have headlights on when it struck the pedestrian. Detectives identified the driver as 39-year-old Juan Eduardo Basurto-Gaspar. Additionally, investigators found illegal narcotics and paraphernalia in the pedestrian’s possession. Basurto-Gaspar was charged with Aggravated DUI, Aggravated Assault/Serious Physical Injury, and Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury Collision. He was booked into the Pima County Jail, but has since bonded out.
On January 6, 2024, the Tucson Police Department was notified by the Office of the Medical Examiner that the pedestrian had passed away as a result of her injuries. The pedestrian has been identified as a 56-year-old woman, but her identity is being withheld until her family has been located. Additional charges are pending with the passing of the pedestrian and the investigation remains ongoing.
Juan Eduardo Basurto-Gaspar
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