Driver in fatal collision at Phoenix intersection jailed on suspicion of murder, DUI

The driver accused of causing a fatal collision at a Phoenix intersection Tuesday was booked into jail on suspicion of murder and DUI, authorities said.

Lee Arthur Simmons Jr., 48, allegedly triggered a multivehicle pileup at 27th Avenue and Indian School Road around 11:45 a.m., according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Richard Alejo Lovato, 60, died from injuries sustained during the crash, and two other men, including a pedestrian, were hospitalized.

Why was driver was booked into jail for murder, DUI?

“Preliminary information indicates Simmons was eastbound on Indian School Road approaching the red light at 27th Avenue when he failed to stop, and he collided with two vehicles that were stopped at the red light. The impact pushed those vehicles into the intersection, where they collided with additional vehicles traveling southbound,” Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez said in a media advisory Wednesday.

Lovato, who was driving one of the vehicles that stopped at the light, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and he did not survive his injuries.

In addition, a man who was walking across Indian School Road was hit by debris or a vehicle, police said. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive.

Another driver was hospitalized as a precaution.

Simmons was taken into custody and processed for DUI before being booked into the Maricopa County Intake Transfer and Release facility on the following felony charges:

• Second-degree murder
• Aggravated DUI while driving on a suspended license
• Aggravated DUI while operating a vehicle with an ignition interlock device
• Endangerment
• Aggravated assault

The intersection was closed in all directions for several hours Tuesday for the investigation.

This is an updated version of a story originally published June 10, 2026.

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