The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in 2016, more than 1 million drivers in the US were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or narcotics. In 2017, the Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT) released a study which reported that there were 4,854 accidents involving drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Of these crashes, 204 involved a pedestrian with a total of 84 fatalities.
AZ Central reports that another fatality involving an allegedly intoxicated motorist and a pedestrian happened on the night of Tuesday, April 23rd. The 20-year-old driver in the case was arrested by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies.
The driver has been identified as Zachary Showers, 20. Authorities allege that Showers had been driving his Chevy Aveo eastbound on McDowell Road in Phoenix when he suddenly veered onto a sidewalk near 37th Street. Showers struck pedestrian Thomas Tarab, 35, who had been walking with another person.
Showers continued eastbound on McDowell and abandoned his vehicle in the 4200 blocks of East McDowell Road. Showers then returned to the scene of the crash where Phoenix Police officers at the scene noted he was exhibiting signs of impairment.
Eyewitnesses to the crash say that Taraba was thrown approximately 75 feet. CPR was performed and Taraba was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. A police spokesperson said that the man who was walking with him was uninjured
Phoenix Police arrested Showers and have charged him with DUI, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and endangerment. Court documents indicate that Showers had a blood alcohol level of .154 percent; nearly twice the legal limit of .08 percent.
