Driver charged in deadly Arizona crash after report cast doubt on his claim that steering locked up

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A driver who said the steering wheel of his pickup locked just before he struck a group of cyclists near Phoenix a year ago has been charged in connection with the fatal crash, authorities said Thursday.

Prosecutors in the city of Goodyear announced their decision to charge Pedro Quintana-Lujan weeks after a National Transportation Safety Board report cast serious doubt on the driver’s claim. The report said that when tested on the truck, there was nothing wrong with the steering.

Quintana-Lujan was initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, aggravated assault and menacing after the Feb. 25, 2023, crash on a Goodyear bridge. Two cyclists were killed and seventeen were injured.

The driver was later released while Goodyear police continued to investigate. Authorities said at the time that it appeared to be an accident, and in November the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office announced it would not file charges.

Quintana-Lujan is now charged with two counts of causing death by moving trespass and nine counts of causing serious bodily injury by moving trespass – all felonies. He faces a maximum of 5 1/2 years if convicted of all charges.

According to the NTSB report, the Arizona Department of Public Safety also found there was nothing wrong with the vehicle’s controls.