Drunken driver runs red light, kills girlfriend after collision with a utility truck in Phoenix, AZ; 2 others were injured

Posted: July 6, 2015

By Phil Benson

 

Booking photo of Abraham Castro taken on July 4, 2015. (Source: Maricopa Couonty Sheriff's Office)

 

 

(Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

 

 

Police investigate the scene of Saturday's accident. (Souorce: KPHO/KTVK)

 

 

(Source: KPHO/KTVK)

 

 

PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) - 

 A suspected drunken driver ran a red light Saturday and plowed into a vehicle, killing his girlfriend and injuring two other people, Phoenix police said. 

Abraham Castro, 25, was arrested and booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault and endangerment. 

Police said Castro was driving a Jeep, failed to stop for a red light at 59th Avenue and Van Buren Street and hit a utility truck carrying three people heading south on 59th Avenue. 

The Jeep struck the truck in the left front tire, causing the vehicles to rotate and collide a second time, officers said. 

A front seat passenger, Jeanette Ruiz, who is Castro's girlfriend, suffered a fatal blow after she struck her head on the corner of the truck, police said. 

Two other people in the truck were injured. Shane Betz suffered a fracture to a vertebrae in his neck and Jose Arguelles suffered scrapes and minor cuts. 
 
Castro was also taken to the hospital, where was it was determined his blood alcohol content was .168, police said. 

A search warrant was served to obtain more blood samples. Results are pending.   

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