Three dead, one hurt after car crashes into pedestrians in Fountain Hills

PHOENIX — Three people are dead and another was left in critical condition after a car struck a group of pedestrians in Fountain Hills on Tuesday.

Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the accident occurred in the area of Palisades and Saguaro boulevards around 9:30 a.m.

The accident occurred when 27-year-old Alex Bashaw allegedly struck the group of pedestrians with his 1998 gold Ford Explorer SUV.

The victims were described as two males and two females between the ages of 50 and 60. They were later identified as 71-year-old Karen Bonta, her husband Robert, 72, and husband and wife Patti and Ronald Doornbos, both 60.

Karen and Patti were pronounced dead at the scene, while Robert was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Ronald suffered a traumatic head injury that required multiple emergency surgeries and is currently in the ICU.

The couples did not appear to know each other and were not together at the time of the crash.

Karen and Robert were walking northbound on the sidewalk of Saguaro Boulevard at Palisades Boulevard when they stopped to cross the street and were hit. Patti and Ronald were walking northbound on the east sidewalk of Saguaro Boulevard, approaching Palisades Boulevard when they were hit.

Enriquez said the driver stayed on scene after the crash. Impairment or speed were not believed to be factors.

KTAR News’ Nailea Leon contributed to this report. 

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