Hit-and-run driver surrenders to authorities after U.S. 60 crash that left teen dead
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Authorities say the driver who allegedly struck and killed a teen early Sunday morning along an East Valley freeway turned himself in on Monday.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety says a white pickup truck hit the teen along the eastbound lanes of the U.S. 60 at the Meridian Road off-ramp near Apache Junction at about 7:40 a.m. on July 16.
"Troopers believe the female victim was walking along the highway when she was struck by the pickup truck," DPS said. "The driver of the pickup truck did not remain on scene."
The teen was not identified by name but is a 16-year-old girl from Mesa.
Robert C. Moyer II, 45, of Peoria
The suspect vehicle was described as a white single-cab dual flatbed pickup truck with black rails. Investigators said it would likely have damage to its front passenger side and broken headlights.
On the morning of July 17, DPS said Robert C. Moyer II, 45, of Peoria turned himself in at Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Phoenix and is accused of leaving the scene of a fatal collision.
According to court documents, Moyer admitted to falling asleep while driving and said he hit something but didn't know if it was a person or another vehicle.
Moyer was booked into jail and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
'It shouldn't of happened'
In three weeks, Mercy DeTemple was going to celebrate her 17th birthday. Instead of planning a party, her older sister has to plan her funeral.
Something she never thought she'd have to do anytime soon.
"The first word that comes to mind is just fierce. You know, fierce in everything she did," her sister Charity Thompson said.
Charity and Josiah Thompson, sister and brother-in-law to Mercy, have raised her for the past four years.
"We were getting her to 18 and she was so excited for her freedom, to be 18 and free from things that held her back in life. Now, she doesn't get that," Josiah said.
"Our best guess was that she was walking to one of the churches," her sister said.
Before knowing what happened, she checked Mercy's location on her phone and noticed it was in the same area for hours, so her brother-in-law went to look for her.
"I got down there and I saw a boot in the ground and I started thinking the worst," he said.
State troopers came to their door later that night.
"After identifying, they were pretty sure they had the right people to be telling. They said there was an accident and that they were about 99% sure it was her and she was gone by the time authorities got to the scene," Charity said.
At that time, the driver had not been arrested.
"It's not a mental decision that I could ever imagine being in, to just leave," Charity said.
The suspect, Moyer, turned himself in the next day.
"I think it does help knowing that the person who took her life at least pays someone back. It won't be all of it, but I don't want her death to be a mysterious one. I want people to know that this is the person who did it and this is what happened. It shouldn't of happened, Josiah said.
Her family is only left with the memories they shared with Mercy. They're heartbroken they won't see her grow up.
"She did not open up often, but once she did, you could never forget her," Charity said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money for her funeral and the link is https://gofund.me/869c9e95.
Area where the hit-and-run happened: