16 Jul 2020
Speed limits are posted on our streets and roadways to keep people safe. Some lower posted speed limits are put in place in urban areas to ensure that pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists aren’t put in harm’s way.
The Arizona Family website reports that one man who was traveling at an astounding 91 mph in an area with a 25 mph before crashing into another vehicle is now facing over a dozen charges relating to the incident.
On Sunday, June 2nd, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a police officer spotted a driver speeding in the area near Grand Avenue and Greenway Road.
The officer turned on both the lights and siren of his police cruiser and attempted to pull over the vehicle. Instead, the driver attempted to flee from police, hitting a speedbump that caused the vehicle being driven by Billy Joe Curtis, 36, to become airborne.
The officer disengaged lights and sirens just before Curtis ran a stop sign and slammed his vehicle into another car going at an estimated 91 miles per hour.
After the crash, Curtis attempted to flee from officers, by abandoning his vehicle and jumping a fence in the residential neighborhood. Police gave chase on foot before he was arrested.
The driver in the other vehicle was transported to an area hospital for treatment. No further information has been released about their identity or their current condition.
Court documents indicate that Curtis was tested for DUI and was found to have had a blood alcohol level of 0.084 at the time of his arrest. Officers also found marijuana in Curtis’ car. Records also indicate that he was driving without a license.
In a surprising turn of events, Curtis apologized to the arresting officers for having fled.
Currently, Curtis is facing numerous charges including two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of endangerment, failure to stay at the scene of an accident involving injury, criminal trespass, unlawful flight, possession of a controlled substance, exceeding the speed limit by 20/45. Reckless driving and other DUI related charges.