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Navajo County authorities investigate deadly hit-and-run case
Associated Press
9:44 AM, Jul 20, 2018
11:38 AM, Jul 20, 2018
Family wants tougher penalties for a man that allegedly ran a red light and killed a Chandler woman.
Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill late Monday afternoon that increases the penalties for car crashes involving serious injuries or death.
HOLBROOK, AZ - The Navajo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a woman from Heber/Overgaard.
Sheriff's officials say 56-year-old Candy Bitzin was found dead on a road Tuesday night after apparently being struck by a car.
They say a 32-year-old Sun City woman who has a revoked driver's license for impaired driving is being questioned in the case.
A Heber/Overgaard resident says her stepdaughter reported hitting something on the road.
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Sheriff's deputies have interviewed the suspect, who admitted to drinking alcohol before driving that night.
They obtained a warrant to collect a blood sample and search the vehicle for evidence.
Deputies say the car has extensive front-end damage and hair is embedded in the windshield.
The county Attorney's Office will determine if charges will be filed in the case.
On Monday, Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill that increases penalties for car crashes involving serious injuries or death.
The law, often referred to as “Pam’s Law,” is named after Pamela Hesselbacher who was killed while crossing a Chandler street with her two small children in 2016.
Gov. Ducey says due to “poorly drafted laws,” the driver, William Epperlein, escaped prison time for the incident.
