Arizona Truck Driver Accepts Plea Deal For Less Than One Year Behind Bars After Killing Two & Wounding Seventeen

While driving becomes second nature for most of us over the years, it’s also important to remember that when we drive, we’re operating several hundreds of pounds (or even thousands) of metal at high speeds. Colliding with another vehicle can easily become a serious accident, but the odds of an accident being deadly are even higher if the victim is a motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian, etc. One might assume that a person who is responsible for the death of one or more person due to poor driving could result in criminal penalties. But one might also be surprised by how light those penalties can be in Arizona. 

In 2023, Pedro Quintana Lujan was driving a pickup truck on Cotton Lane bridge in Goodyear when he crashed into a group of cyclists. Two of the cyclists died, and seventeen more were injured in this crash. At least one of the accident victims had to relearn to walk. He said the reason for the crash was that his steering wheel locked up. However, his vehicle was inspected by two investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, who found no evidence of issues with his steering wheel or truck in general. They instead concluded that the crash was caused by driver fatigue. 

Despite the severity of this crash, prosecutors opted not to charge Quintana Lujan with any felonies, instead pursuing 12 separate misdemeanor charges. His attorney filed to dismiss the charges because the crash was one incident rather than 12 separate incidents, but the motion was denied. On August 7, 2025, Quintana Lujan pled guilty to the misdemeanor counts of serious physical injury or death by a moving violation. In exchange for his guilty plea, Quintana Lujan will serve 6-12 months in jail rather than face a heavier incarceration sentence. He was also fined $2,500 and ordered to complete 60 hours of community service. His driver’s license will be suspended for approximately 6 months and he will have to submit to quarterly drug testing. He will be officially sentenced on September 4, 2025. 

Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-672

The defendant in this case was charged with 12 counts of violating A.R.S. § 28-672. This statute makes it a crime in Arizona if someone causes serious physical injury or death by committing any of the following of these motor violations: 

• Running a red light
• Speeding in a work safety zone
• Disregarding lane usage rules
• Failing to yield right-of-way at an intersection
• Failing to yield right-of-way when turning left at an intersection
• Failing to obey stop signs at an intersection
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• Failing to exercise due care
• Speeding in a school zone
• Tailgating
• Failing to obey school bus signs
• Using a cell phone while driving

This statute defines this criminal offense as a class 1 misdemeanor. In Arizona, a defendant can serve up to 6 months in jail upon conviction for such an offense. But when a defendant is charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses, the potential jail sentences would stack. That means a defendant charged with 12 misdemeanors could face up to 6 years in jail if convicted. Many defendants in these circumstances would prefer a guaranteed maximum sentence of one year rather than risk an additional 5 years behind bars at trial for the chance at a not guilty verdict. 

There are additional penalties associated with causing serious physical injury or death by a motor violation besides jail time. For a defendant’s first offense of this statute causing serious physical injury, their driver’s license will be suspended for 90-180 days. If the violation results in death, the defendant’s driver’s license will be suspended for 6-12 months. If the defendant is convicted of this offense a second time within 3 years, their driver’s license will be suspended for the maximum end of those ranges. The defendant will also need to complete traffic survival school educational sessions, and could be ordered to pay the victim restitution of up to $100,000. 

Felony Charges

In an accident that kills 2 and injures 17, it may be appropriate for the at-fault party to be charged with one or more felony offenses. In similar cases, a defendant might be charged with manslaughter or negligent homicide. Manslaughter involves recklessly causing the death of another person, while negligent homicide is the negligent killing of another person. Negligent homicide is a class 4 felony in Arizona and manslaughter is a class 2 felony, making manslaughter the more serious offense. Someone can make a simple mistake that is negligent, but recklessness involves acting with disregard for others’ safety. In this case, the prosecution wasn’t confident in securing a conviction under felony counts. Evidence such as intoxication or road rage could make it more difficult for a defendant to be found not guilty at trial. But as investigators blamed the crash on fatigue, state attorneys found it more appropriate to pursue misdemeanor charges. 

Plea Bargaining

Plea bargaining is a defense strategy that lawyers use to help their clients face minimal penalties for their alleged crimes. With a plea bargain, a defendant can plead guilty to a crime to receive a guaranteed sentence closer to the minimum for the sentencing guidelines. The defendant could also plead guilty to a less serious crime than the one with which they were originally charged. 

Plea bargaining may be an appealing defense tactic to a defendant facing serious jail time. But executing a favorable plea deal isn’t usually a simple process. Prosecutors take negotiations more seriously when facing experienced criminal defenders with a reputation for success in the courtroom. Many criminal defenders have working relationships with prosecutors and can use them to their clients’ advantage. But prosecutors might not be willing to offer a plea deal if they have a strong case against the defendant. 

Are you facing criminal charges in Arizona and wondering about the possibility of a plea deal in your situation? One of our experienced Arizona criminal defenders can assess your situation for the likelihood of plea bargaining and other possible defense strategies. Schedule your free consultation today by calling 480-833-8000. 

Devise Your Arizona Criminal Defense Strategy With One Of Our Experienced Defenders

If you have been charged with one or more criminal offenses in Arizona, you are at risk of a wide variety of potential penalties like fines, jail time, community service, driver’s license suspension or revocation, restitution, traffic survival school, and more. Taking your case to trial and securing a not guilty verdict can eliminate the possibility of these penalties. But if your case isn’t strong, it may be preferable to pursue reduced penalties through a plea bargain. Plea bargaining allows many defendants to incur minimal penalties to avoid life-altering consequences. But the best plea deals are negotiated by defense attorneys with extensive knowledge and experience in Arizona criminal cases. Our team is passionate about defending our clients’ rights at competitive rates, which are quoted in a risk-free consultation by phone. If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Arizona, contact Arizona’s top-rated criminal defense lawyers to learn more about your options with a free consultation with My AZ Lawyers. Schedule your consultation today at 480-833-8000.