PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department says an 18-year-old man has died along with an unborn child after a crash Thursday.
Police say at around 11:15 a.m., they responded to a two vehicle crash in the area of 35th Avenue and Bell Road.
The crash involved a Dodge Avenger, operated by a 25-year-old man, and a Ford Mustang operated by a 63-year-old woman.
Police say the Dodge Avenger was traveling westbound on Bell Road and entered the intersection at a "high rate of speed," colliding with the Mustang as it made a left-hand turn on a yellow light.
After crashing into the Mustang, the Dodge Avenger began to spin and traveled "several hundred feet west," subsequently hitting a curb and four pedestrians on the sidewalk, police say. Neither the driver of the Dodge Avenger or the Mustang were injured in the crash.
Police say 18-year-old Jonathan Marroquin was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
A 15-year-old girl who was 31 weeks pregnant was also hit. The unborn child died from the incident, and the teen was seriously injured, according to police. A 51-year-old man had a foot injury, but refused to be taken to the hospital following the crash.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe it at all. I lost a good friend," said Bryan Landa after walking the site where Marroquin was killed.
A small vigil with flowers, candles, a cross and pictures of Marroquin sits at the base of a tree near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Bell Road.
"I love him and I'll keep his memories. I love him so much," said Landa.
Police determined the drivers of the Dodge Avenger and the Mustang were not impaired at the time of the crash; however, the driver of the Dodge was speeding, according to Phoenix police.
Police expect to charge the 25-year-old driver of the Dodge Avenger with manslaughter, aggravated assault and endangerment following the completion of the crash investigation.
