WEST PHOENIX, AZ – A 48-year-old man faces several charges and is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond in connection with a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday.
The collision occurred around 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of 27th Avenue and Indian School Road, according to Arizona Family. Preliminary details show the 48-year-old man, later identified as Lee Simmons Jr, ran a red light and crashed into two vehicles.
The two vehicles then crashed into four other vehicles on southbound 27th Avenue.
EMS crews rushed one person, one of the drivers, identified as 60-year-old Richard Lovato, to a hospital. Lovato, unfortunately, died from his injuries.
Another driver and pedestrian were also sent to the hospital, but survived and are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.
Police detained Simmons and took him to a police precinct, where he was processed for DUI, also noting he displayed the classic signs of impairment: bloodshot and watery eyes, smelled of alcohol, and appeared to be in a daze.
In a court appearance on Wednesday, a Maricopa County prosecutor said Simmons was driving 96 mph in a 40mph zone prior to the collision and was fighting with police officers after the crash.
Officials also noted that Simmons did not drive with a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash due to four prior DUI offenses and one aggravated DUI offense.
Maricopa County prosecutor Brianna Vega Stutz also said Simmons was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of aggravated DUI and being under the influence of Phencyclidine (PCP) in 2015. He was released from probation in 2024.
Aside from Simmons’ DUI offenses, prosecutors also noted he had “10 prior felony convictions for crimes of kidnapping, unlawful flight, possession of dangerous drugs, and aggravated assault, along with the DUI offenses.”
In Wednesday’s court appearance, prosecutors asked the judge to hold Simmons on a $1 million cash-only dollar bond given his criminal record. That request was granted, and he is now facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated DUI, aggravated DUI with an interlock device, endangerment, and second-degree murder.
If you were injured or lost a family member to a serious DUI crash, leave it to Tobler Law’s Phoenix car accident lawyers to help you establish accountability and work with you personally to secure fair and full compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses. Schedule a free consultation online or by phone at 480-898-9700.