PD: Drunk driver veers into Goodyear lake, killing his wife
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - A man is accused of manslaughter after police say he was driving drunk and crashed his car into a Goodyear neighborhood's lake on Friday night. His wife was killed in the crash.
The crash happened near Estrella Parkway and Willis Road just before 8 p.m. on March 22.
Police say the Goodyear man, 35-year-old Anthony Maiorana, was driving when he veered into the gated community's lake.
He was able to get out of the car, but investigators say his wife, 35-year-old Megan Maiorana, wasn't able to.
"A dive team responded to the scene and was able to confirm there was another occupant in the vehicle that was deceased," police said.
Anthony was taken to the hospital for treatment and then booked into a Maricopa County Jail.
He's accused of extreme DUI, other DUI-related charges, manslaughter, and reckless driving. Anthony was allegedly driving with a BAC of .234 – the legal limit is .08.
Police confirmed that Megan and Anthony were married, and have been for nine years.
No more information was made available.
"This is more tragic than many of these cases we see come in here, given the fact this was someone that was in your vehicle with a very close relationship to you. However, I do have to take into account the very serious nature of the charge you are here for," the judge said.
The judge ordered a secured appearance bond of $150,000. Anthony will be placed on house arrest with regular alcohol tests and monitoring. He's not allowed to drive a car.
The couple lived just miles from where the tragic crash took Megan's life.
‘He was very distraught'
A neighbor of the Maiorana couple, who wished to remain anonymous due to the nature of the death, said the young couple moved to the Valley about 3.5 years ago from Washington D.C.
"A lovely couple, adventurous, outdoorsy type people. Both hard working individuals and, you know, just a young dynamic couple," the neighbor said.
Anthony was reportedly begging for help after the crash.
"He was very distraught on scene," the neighbor said. "He was very upset."
When the family’s car was towed out from the lake, police say Megan was still strapped into her seat belt in the passenger seat where she died.
"Megan was really one of the nicest people we had met since we had moved to Arizona. Just a very sweet young lady," the couple's neighbor said.
Anthony, known by friends as Tony, told police at the time of the crash the couple had come from a baseball game where he only had two beers. His BAC level suggested otherwise.
Police say they were coming from a social gathering inside of Canta Mia, a gated community right next to the lake.
In the police report, officers say Anthony admitted to being the driver but says he has no idea what happened.