Police believe man accidentally drowned after driving scooter into Scottsdale canal
Oct 20, 2021, 3:15 PM
PHOENIX – A man whose body was found in an Old Town Scottsdale canal this summer apparently was intoxicated and drove a rented scooter into the water, authorities said Wednesday.
The death of 23-year-old Robert Cuillo was ruled an accidental drowning by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, Scottsdale Police Department spokesman Aaron Bolin said in a press release.
The medical examiner’s report showed that Cuillo’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle, police said.
“Scottsdale Police would like to remind the public to be very cautious when traveling along canals, waterways and when using wheeled conveyance devices if they choose to consume alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs,” Bolin said.
Cuillo’s body was found July 19, two days after he was reported missing, in the Arizona Canal near Scottsdale and Camelback roads.
Based on GPS tracking information from Cuillo’s phone and the scooter, which was recovered from the water, police believe he went into the canal north of Chaparral Road.
Family and friends of Cuillo told local TV stations that he lived in Old Town Scottsdale and would often walk to the neighborhood’s bars, shops and restaurants.
