PHOENIX – An impaired motorist who fatally struck a bicyclist and fled will serve a five-year prison sentence and remain on probation for four years after his release. Matthew Stephen McIver (D.O.B. 11/3/1976) was identified, apprehended and indicted after an extensive police investigation by the Mesa Police Department and an aggressive prosecution by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. He pled guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
“Thanks to the diligent investigative work by our law enforcement partners at the Mesa Police Department, we were able to prevent this defendant from escaping accountability for his actions,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This case underscores not only the dangers of drinking and driving but also the consequences of fleeing the scene of a vehicular collision. Each carries significant consequences, which this defendant will now pay,” he added.
On August 13, 2013 the defendant was driving home after consuming several beers at a bar and grill near Queen Creek and Power Roads in Mesa. While driving east on Ray Road towards Sossaman Road, he struck an adult tricycle in the marked bicycle lane ridden by Richard Bruce Welk. The defendant then fled to another bar near his home in the vicinity of Power and McDowell Roads.
Witnesses reported seeing a white SUV fleeing the scene of the collision. A piece of the vehicle was recovered from the area with a part number indicating it came from a Saturn VUE. Through news media reports and community contacts, the Mesa Police Department was able to locate the vehicle and determine it was registered to the defendant. The vehicle was missing the part found at the scene of the collision and was damaged in a manner consistent with striking an adult tricycle and a body.
When interviewed, the defendant admitted to drinking three beers prior to driving and then striking an object with his vehicle. He stated that he panicked and fled the scene of the collision. On August 26, 2013, a Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted Matthew McIver on one count of leaving the scene of a fatal injury accident. After additional investigation, including video and cash register receipts from the bar and witness interviews, police determined that McIver had consumed a quantity of alcohol prior to the collision sufficient to register a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit. On the basis of this evidence, a second Grand Jury indicted McIver with an additional count of manslaughter on January 23, 2014. He waived his right to a trial and agreed to plead guilty to both counts on July 10, 2014.
The Honorable Karen Mullins sentenced McIver to a presumptive 5-year term on the manslaughter count and a 4-year term of probation on the count of leaving the scene. The court also retained jurisdiction for restitution purposes and ordered the defendant to complete substance abuse treatment as a condition of his probation.
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