Driver arrested after 3 hurt in Scottsdale 'pedicab' accident

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Three people injured in an accident involving a car and "pedicab" in Scottsdale overnight have been identified.

Scottsdale police identified the driver of the bicycle taxi as 19-year-old Saipaia J. Tavake of Tempe. The passengers have been identified as 21-year-old Cody A. Clark and 21-year-old Michael D. Tysver, both of Great Bend, Kansas.

The accident happened on Scottsdale Road near McDonald Drive around 3 a.m.

Scottsdale police Officer David Pubins said the pedicab was traveling north on Scottsdale Road when it was struck from behind by a passenger car.

Police said Tysver has serious injuries and is in stable condition. Clark is listed in very serious condition with severe head trauma. The pedicab driver, Tavake, was treated and released from the hospital.

Tysver and Clark were in the Valley for the Fiesta Bowl, Pubins said. The pedicab driver told police he had picked up his passengers in downtown Scottsdale and was taking them to their hotel near Scottsdale Road and Rose Lane.

Pedi-cab drivers operate all over the Valley at events and in popular night spots. 

Devin Heggested is a driver and knows how dangerous the job can be.

"There have been close calls," he said.  "Anytime you are going on longer rides away from Old Town you have to be careful because of speeds along the streets.  My prayers go out to those hit."

Pubins said alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident on the part of the vehicle's driver. Neither he nor his two passengers were injured. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Joseph Paul Spano of Phoenix was taken into custody and faces charges of DUI, endangerment and aggravated assault.