Chandler man arrested in hit-and-run that killed 11-year-old boy

CHANDLER, AZ - A 24-year-old Chandler man has been arrested after a boy was hit and killed while crossing the street on his bicycle Friday afternoon.

Chandler police said the accident happened around 12:45 p.m. when 11-year-old Aaron Arnold tried to cross Arizona Avenue just south of Knox Road.

Aaron was struck by a pickup truck driven by Ronald Wayne Chavez who fled the scene in his vehicle after the collision.

Aaron was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chavez abandoned the pickup truck in the parking lot of an apartment complex near Alma School Road and Chandler Boulevard, according to police spokesman Seth Tyler.

Chavez returned to the scene of the accident with his father and contacted officers. He confirmed to investigators that he was the driver of the pickup truck when Aaron was hit.

Chavez was placed under arrest and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of failure to stop for an accident involving death.

Witnesses said the scene was chaotic as they tried to save the boy's life.

"It's just awful... an awful thing to see. I mean, he could have stopped, there's a baby," said witness Lee Pierson.

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