Driver arrested in fiery Mesa crash that killed 2, hospitalized another

PHOENIX — The driver in a fiery Mesa crash from last week that killed two people and hospitalized another was arrested, authorities said Monday.

Brett Quadlin, 39, was arrested for his role in the crash at the intersection of Country Club Drive and US 60 (Superstition Freeway) on Friday around 7:30 a.m., according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Quadlin was booked on charges of manslaughter, endangerment, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a fatal collision. Impairment was suspected in the crash, DPS said.

What happened in fiery Mesa crash?

Quadlin allegedly rear-ended a red car that was stopped at a red light on the eastbound US 60 off-ramp at Country Club Drive.

The car was pushed into a black SUV in front of it, and the debris from the impact damaged a gray pickup truck that also was waiting at the light, DPS said.

The two occupants of the red car, 48-year-old David Ortiz De Jesus and 46-year-old Yesenia Morales De Castillo, were pronounced dead at the scene. Quadlin and the driver of the black SUV were taken to a hospital to be treated for their injuries.

A pool-cleaning truck was also involved, so firefighters also had to deal with a chemical spill, too.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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