Mary Haapala Killed and Joshua Degolier Arrested in DUI Accident on Guadalupe Road [Gilbert, AZ]

Mary Haapala Dead, Joshua Degolier Arrested in Gilbert DUI Accident

 
GILBERT, AZ (January 22, 2025) — An 88-year-old woman, Mary Lillian Haapala, died in a DUI accident on Friday, January 10.
 
The Gilbert Police said the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. at the American Orchards Assisted Living and Memory Care facility near Guadalupe Road and Lindsay Road.
 
According to the Gilbert Police, 33-year-old Joshua Michael Degolier drank with friends while watching college football at Brass Tap. Then, Degolier reportedly drove his truck across the facility’s parking lot and over a sidewalk.
 
After that, his truck drove into the building’s wall, landing on Haapala, who was asleep in her bed. Police said Degolier continued to press the gas pedal after the crash, even though the truck’s rear wheel was lodged several inches into the dirt.
 
Haapala died at the scene from her injuries.
 
After the crash, Degolier walked away from the scene. Officers later found him approximately half a mile north of the facility.
 
Degolier reportedly admitted to drinking earlier in the evening. Police also noted that two and a half hours after his arrest, he still smelled strongly of alcohol.
 
Officers then booked Degolier into jail. He faces charges including second-degree murder, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, and failure to provide aid. They set his bond at $250,000.

We at the Alpha Accident Lawyers send out our heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of Mary Haapala.

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