Mesa police make arrests in 2 fatal hit-and-run cases

PHOENIX — The Mesa Police Department has made arrests in two separate hit-and-run cases, according to a press release on Thursday.

Frank Lawrence, 32, was arrested by Mesa police on Wednesday stemming from a hit and run and road rage incident that occurred on Jan. 11.

Lawrence allegedly followed 22-year-old James Ackerman Jr. and another person to an apartment complex near the intersection of Alma School Road and 8th Avenue in Mesa after Lawrence was honked at for drifting into the lane of the car Ackerman Jr. was riding in.

Police say Lawrence confronted and punched the person Ackerman Jr. was riding with through the open car window, causing Ackerman Jr. to get out of the car and record Lawrence on his cellphone for evidence.

Ackerman Jr. followed Lawrence’s car out to the street while recording when Lawrence did a U-turn, intentionally driving toward and hitting Ackerman Jr., who later died at the hospital, according to the release.

After hitting Ackerman Jr., Lawerence fled the scene, according to the report.

Lawrence is charged with one count of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The other case involved the arrest of 45-year-old Joseph Eckert for a hit-and-run incident that occurred on Tuesday.

Police say Eckert left the roadway and drove onto the sidewalk at the intersection of Alma School and Baseline roads in Mesa, where he struck 81-year-old Larry Lans and a water meter valve. Police do not know why Eckert left the road.

Eckert immediately fled the scene after the incident, according to the release.

Police say Eckert admitted to driving the car at the time of the incident and hitting the water meter valve but denied knowledge of striking Lans.

Eckert is charged with one count of failing to stop for a fatality collision, according to the release.

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