17-year-old charged with murder after crash in San Tan Valley kills 3

PHOENIX — A 17-year-old boy was charged with murder following a crash that killed three people, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration and excessive speed in San Tan Valley on Tuesday morning.

(Pinal County Sheriff’s Office photo)

The driver, later identified as Juan Sanchez, fled from the deputy and accelerated, eventually losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a cement barricade near Schnepf and Ocotillo roads, police said.

A 16-year-old and two 18-year-olds were not wearing seat belts and died at the scene, according to police.

The men were later identified as Amonte Deshawn Jones of Mesa and Chase James Bulmahn of San Tan Valley. The 16-year-old will not be identified by police because he is a minor.

Sanchez, who admitted to being under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash, had been wearing a seat belt and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Police said they found marijuana and other drugs in the vehicle, as well as a large amount of cash and five guns, including an AR-15.

Police said Sanchez faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony flight. He is being held at the Pinal County Adult Detention facility.

Update: The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect and the two 18-year-olds killed in the crash. 

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