Eleazar Valdez Jr. Dead, Marc Distel Arrested after Hit-and-Run on 17 Freeway [Phoenix, AZ]

Eleazar Valdez Jr. Killed, Marc Distel Arrested after Phoenix Hit-and-Run Accident

 
PHOENIX, AZ (February 9, 2024) — A motorcyclist identified as 18-year-old Eleazar Valdez Jr. died after a fatal hit-and-run on Wednesday, January 24.
 
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the accident happened at 17 Freeway near Union Hills Drive at around 7:30 p.m.
 
According to court paperwork, 29-year-old Marc David Distel drove a 2013 Lincoln MKZ at a high rate of speed on 17 Freeway. After that, Distel slammed into the back of Valdez Jr.’s Kawasaki motorcycle.
 
Due to the impact of the crash, the motorcycle became wedged in the front of the vehicle. The two continued for another quarter-mile. During that time, Valdez fell off the bike in the middle of the freeway and another car struck him.
 
Valdez later died at the hospital.
 
Distel fled from the scene and he called DPS the next day.
 
A trooper came to Motel 6 at 23rd Avenue and Bell Road. Court paperwork said he confessed to driving the car and said he was on several medications while driving. Distel said someone picked him up the night of the crash and brought him to a medical center.
 
The trooper arrested Distel at the hotel. Then they booked him into jail on charges of manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

During this time of profound loss, our law firm offers our sincerest condolences to the family of Eleazar Valdez Jr.

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