Tempe Police announces arrest of man in connection with crash that left ASU student seriously hurt
TEMPE, Ariz. - Officials with the Tempe Police Department say an arrest has been made in connection with a crash on April 24 that left two Arizona State University students injured.
Related: Police: Hit-and-run driver loses control, hits two pedestrians in Tempe
The crash happened just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, near Rural Road and Apache Boulevard.
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"Multiple witnesses reported that a motorist lost control, left the roadway, and collided with two pedestrians at the northeast corner of the intersection. The vehicle left the area," said Officer Eric Jensen with Tempe Police.
Video of the scene was caught by Twitter user @Sk8rtweet1.
Police officials identify suspect
Sheldon Whitebird (Photo Courtesy: Tempe Police Department)
According to a statement released on April 27, Tempe Police officials identified the suspect as 39-year-old Sheldon Whitebird.
Investigators say Whitebird was arrested in Mesa at around 10:00 p.m. on the day of the crash, and held on an arrest warrant from an unrelated incident in which he was suspected of driving under the influence.
"Impairment is being investigated as a possible factor in this collision," read a portion of the statement released by Tempe Police on April 27.
Friend of victim speaks out
"Thrown like a rag doll. Was absolutely crazy to see the actual video," said ASU student Nicolas Khonaysser, as he talked about his friend, 19-year-old David McCurdy.
McCurdy was walking with his friend, Ryan, and his girlfriend before he was hit.
"It could have been any one of us on that sidewalk, and the fact that he wasn't jaywalking -- he wasn't even on the street. He was just trying to walk back on the street with his girlfriend on a sidewalk -- it's eye opening," said Khonaysser.
Tempe Police officials say Whitebird's driver's license may have been revoked at the time of the incident that injured the ASU students.
"It shows a lot about that person, and it's a reality check to everyone," said Khonaysser. "Definitely, the guy belongs behind bars."
Khonaysser has been in contact with McCurdy's family, and says McCurdy, who is a freshman at ASU, is still in critical condition after two successful surgeries, having suffered fractures along his back, neck, and spine.
"Positive news I'm being told is yes, he is still in a medically induced coma. However, he did show signs of responsiveness," said Khonaysser.
The other ASU student hurt in the incident is out of the hospital.
(Click here for David McCurdy's GoFundMe)
(Click here for 2nd victim's GoFundMe)
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