A Mesa man is accused of pounding several beers before getting behind the wheel and hitting a man riding a tricycle, killing him.
Matthew McIver, 36, has been arrested, a week after the fatal crash.
According to court documents obtained by New Times, McIver was driving down Ray Road in Mesa around 6:40 p.m. on August 13 when he hit 68-year-old Richard Welck -- who was riding his tricycle in the bike lane -- then struck a median before fleeing the scene and heading to another bar.
Welck -- who had been traveling the correct direction while in the bike lane -- died after being hit.
Police found a vehicle part at the scene belonging to a Saturn Vue, which was consistent with the vehicle that witnesses saw hit Welck.
Days later, police got a tip that McIver might own the Saturn in question.
Police checked out McIver's Saturn, and saw it had "markings consistent with striking the tires of the tricycle as well as crushing on the hood consistent with striking a body," court documents state.
McIver admitted to police that he had three pints of India pale ale-style beers, but a witness told police it was more along the lines of "upward of six" IPAs, according to court documents.
McIver admitted he hit the median and another object but said he didn't know what he hit. He claimed he panicked and fled to another bar instead of stopping, court documents state. McIver said he went looking for what he may have hit the next day but didn't find anything.
McIver was booked into jail on charges of manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident. His bond has been set at $150,000.
Send feedback and tips to the author.
Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.
