Suspected drunk driver crashes into Cave Creek Bike Week, hospitalizing several

Man struck by suspected drunk driver recounts crash: 'I can't get his face out of my head'

Several people were hospitalized after a suspected drunk driver crashed into Cave Creek Bike Week, striking three pedestrians, eight motorcycles, and a truck. FOX 10's Megan Spector hears from the driver who was hit. 

CAVE CREEK, Ariz. - A suspected drunk driver crashed into the festivities at Cave Creek Bike Week, sending multiple people to the hospital, according to Maricopa County deputies.

What we know:

The crash happened on April 3, the first night of the week-long event, when a Chevrolet pickup truck driver was traveling on the wrong side of Cave Creek Road. The driver hit a stopped GMC truck, eight motorcycles that were parked along a fence, and three pedestrians.

"I looked in front of me and I saw the C10 coming head on at me at what looked like to me 45 mph," said Luke Hurst. 

Hurst, who was struck by the suspected driver, was back out at Cave Creek Bike Week on April 5. 

"I put my foot on the brakes and just braced myself, that was pretty much it. I remember staring at his face. It was super weird, I can't get his face out of my head," he said. 

What they're saying:

Witnesses described the crash as horrific and intense. 

"It was horrible with the initial crash and then some very qualified and good citizens jumped in and took care of the injured," Cave Creek Bike Week vendor Tim Yarosh said. "They also detained the driver of the vehicle at fault."

"Just the screeching and the collision — the sound was horrible, loud like thunder. It was that loud. Everyone jumped," vendor Vicki Stevenson said. "I see the guy laying on the ground over there and he was hurt pretty bad…Instant panic for everyone. I’ll never forget it. I’d like to but I can’t."

"That was a horrific scene," vendor Desiree Anderson added. "It knocked over all these bikes. One of mine got knocked over. That lady — she was laying in the street and a security guard was holding her head. Just so she wouldn’t move. Had to give her resuscitation."

Dig deeper:

Deputies said there were signs of alcohol impairment in the suspected drunk driver.

While the man in the GMC was struck by the suspected impaired driver, one vendor said it was his truck that saved her life.

"If he hadn’t had been there- I’m shaking because of it- If he hadn’t had been there and those bikes- both me and her would have been gone," Anderson said. "If he hadn’t hit the first truck there would have been a lot more casualties."

Hurst said he went to the emergency room that night and has a mild concussion. Two other victims were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries— one with a head injury and the other with a head injury and a "significant abdominal laceration," deputies said.

What we don't know:

FOX 10 reached out to MCSO to see if the suspected drunk driver would face any charges and for an update on the conditions of the victims, but they did not release that information.

What's next:

There is an increased law enforcement presence, as vendors said deputies have been more visible since the crash and are taking more control of the traffic as the event continues through next Sunday. 

This remains an ongoing investigation.