PHOENIX— Today Joshua Hicks (D.O.B. 10/18/1984) was sentenced to 18.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by four years of supervised probation upon release, for 2 counts of Aggravated Assault, 1 count of Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury Accident, and 1 count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale.

On September 28, 2015 officers witnessed a drug transaction between Hicks and another person. As Hicks left the parking area where the transaction occurred officers pulled him over. However, before officers could investigate further, Hicks put his truck in drive and took off at a high rate of speed. Hicks then failed to stop at the traffic signal before going through the intersection. He hit a utility truck in the intersection, causing the victim to spin and hit a pickup truck before rolling over. Hicks’ vehicle then hit a dump truck and continued until his truck collided with a landscaping truck. Two of the victims involved in the collisions suffered serious injury.

Hicks ran from his truck and jumped the fence of a nearby home, where he hid inside a shed until officers located him and took him into custody. A later search of his truck revealed approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin.

“Several innocent people and their families were impacted by the actions of this defendant, all because he refused to face the consequences for his illegal drug activities,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

The defendant also pled guilty to the one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale in a separate criminal case.