Mother of 5 killed in hit-and-run on Loop 101 in Peoria; suspected driver arrested

PEORIA, Ariz. - A man has been arrested in connection to a hit-and-run along a Peoria freeway that left a Valley mother dead.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said just before 3 a.m. on Dec 19, troopers found a car with its driver's side door open and hazards flashing parked in the middle of the southbound Loop 101 off-ramp at Peoria Avenue.

Fifty feet from the gold Mitsubishi Gallant, the body of 33-year-old Nichole Cortez was found. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Dec. 26, officials said the person suspected to be driving the car involved in the incident was arrested. The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Jonathan A. Baldizon of Tolleson.

According to court documents, Baldizon told police he was driving home from work on the night of the hit-and-run and "started getting tired."

"He said he exited at Peoria and dropped his phone," read a portion of the court documents. "When he looked up, he saw a vehicle with no lights on and attempted to swerve around it."

Baldizon allegedly told police he knew he hit the car but didn't think he hit anything else.

"He said he exited his car, looked around, and did not see anyone," court documents read.

Baldizon allegedly admitted to fleeing the scene because he was driving without a license.

Baldizon was booked into jail and is being Sheldon a $50,000 bond.

Victim's father begs for help

Prior to the suspect's arrest, the victim's father, Anthoney Cortez, talked about the victim and pleaded for help from the public.

"She was a one-of-a-kind person," said Cortez. "She always had a very, very big heart."

Cortez said his daughter’s car broke down at the time of the incident.

"The car overheated, and she didn't make it over to the side of the shoulder," said Cortez.

Cortez said Nichole got out and tried to push her car. Investigators said that's when a car hit Nichole.

"I don’t know how you just drive by and let somebody lay on the side of the road," said Cortez. "I’m sure he knew he hit somebody, and just kept on going. My daughter could have been alive. She could have had a chance."

Cortez said Nichole was a dedicated single mother who was working hard to give a good Christmas to her five children.

"I've got to deal with Christmas in a couple of days here, and I’m getting ready to go talk to people about burying my daughter, so this is very, very difficult," said Cortez.

Anyone with information should call DPS at 302-223-2212.

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