PHOENIX, AZ – A 21-year-old man, Turatsinze Gadi, has been arrested after allegedly driving drunk and high while celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday and slamming his pickup truck into a Toyota Corolla, killing a 6-year-old girl and seriously injuring her 2-year-old sister, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Fatal Crash and Scene Details
The deadly crash occurred just before 8 p.m. last Sunday when troopers responded to the scene and found the mangled Corolla with five people inside, including the young victims. The 6-year-old girl died at the scene, while her 2-year-old sister was hospitalized with injuries.
Authorities said Gadi was allegedly driving a Toyota Tundra at 105 mph, swerving in and out of traffic, and had been drinking beer and tequila while also smoking marijuana. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test later revealed a level of 0.219, more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit in Arizona.
Lies About Being Brake-Checked
Gadi initially told police that he was brake-checked by another vehicle before the crash. However, investigators later determined that his claim was false, according to KTVK, citing Maricopa County and state officials.
Despite his high level of intoxication, Gadi allegedly downplayed his impairment, telling investigators he was only a “three or four” out of ten for how intoxicated he felt.
Arrest and Court Appearance
After the crash, Gadi reportedly abandoned his Tundra at a nearby QuikTrip and told authorities he was in shock and unsure of what to do. He was taken into custody and charged with:
- Second-degree murder
- Endangerment
- Aggravated assault
- Failure to stay at the scene of an accident involving death
During his first court appearance, Gadi repeatedly said, “I’m sorry”, as a judge ordered him held on a $500,000 bond. He remained in custody as of Thursday.
Community Response and Fundraiser
A GoFundMe has been launched to support the children’s mother, stating:…