Man charged with manslaughter in Pinal County hit-and-run that killed woman

A 58-year-old Florence man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a 23-year-old woman.

Three others were injured, one critically.

Dave Loescher faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, aggravated assault and reckless driving, according to a sheriff’s spokesman.

Krysten Sovereign, 23, was identified as the woman killed in the Friday crash. Three other victims were transported with major injuries. Two were in stable condition and one was listed in critical condition, McCarthy said.

The crash happened on Friday afternoon on Hunt Highway near Magma Road. Witnesses told police Loescher was driving erratically before rear-ending the car Sovereign was riding in, sending it into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by an SUV.

Loescher fled the scene.

Investigators initially asked the public to look for a black Ford F-250 or F-350 pickup but later identified the vehicle as a 2024 dark blue Nissan Titan Platinum Edition.

Loescher was arrested Saturday night, roughly 24 hours after the wreck.

“A combination of technology, good police work and community involvement led to the PCSO finding the vehicle and capturing the suspect in less than 24 hours,” a department post about the arrest read. “We are grateful for this community.”

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