NTSB Report Points to Fatigue in Fatal Bicycle Accident
Driver fatigue was the likely cause of a February 2023 crash in Goodyear, Arizona, that killed two bicyclists and injured 14 others, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The crash occurred on the Cotton Lane Bridge, 19 miles west of Phoenix, when a pickup truck collided with a group of cyclists.
Driver’s Fatigue and Speed Identified as Key Factors
In its final report, the NTSB stated that the driver’s diminished alertness, likely due to fatigue, played a significant role in the tragic accident. The report also noted that the speed of the pickup truck and the driver’s lack of response as the crash unfolded contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by the bicyclists.
Driver Originally Charged With Manslaughter
Pedro Quintana-Lujan, 27, was initially arrested and booked on charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault, endangerment, and causing serious injury or death by a moving violation. On the day of the crash, Quintana-Lujan told police officers that his steering had locked, causing him to drift into the bike lane where he struck the group of cyclists.
Truck Found to Have No Mechanical Issues
A preliminary NTSB investigation revealed that two investigators had separately inspected Quintana-Lujan’s truck and found no mechanical issues that could have caused the crash. This contradicted the driver’s claim that the steering malfunctioned before the incident.
Marijuana Use and THC in Driver’s System
According to a later NTSB report, Quintana-Lujan admitted to smoking marijuana the night before the crash. A toxicology report showed that he had a small amount of THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis—in his system at the time of the crash. However, Arizona law does not define a specific threshold for proving impairment solely by THC.
Prosecutors Decline Felony Charges
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to pursue felony charges against Quintana-Lujan, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prove felony-level impairment or intent. The case was instead referred to the Goodyear Prosecutor’s Office, which filed 11 misdemeanor charges against the driver.
