Arizona Senate candidate John McLean dies in early-morning Tucson collision involving DUI

PHOENIX — John McLean, a Democratic candidate for the Arizona Senate in District 17, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tucson car crash on Friday, local authorities announced.

McLean, 68, died after 27-year-old Michael Creel allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign while traveling north on Ridgeside Drive and struck McLean’s vehicle as he was traveling east on Broadway Boulevard in east Tucson, authorities said.

Creel was arrested for manslaughter and aggravated DUI after he was determined to be impaired at the time of the fatal collision. He was not seriously injured in the crash.

As of Friday afternoon, McLean was 3,029 votes (51%-49%) behind Republican candidate Vince Leach for the District 17 senate seat, according to the state’s election results page.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean family for their tragic loss today,” Leach wrote in a statement. “John was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate. My deepest condolences go out to John’s family and friends in this most difficult time.

“As a third-generation Arizonan, the lives John positively touched during his life are incalculable, and we should all be so fortunate to do the same.”

State Senator Justine Wadsack, who McLean and Leach were running to replace in District 17, also shared condolences for McLean’s family.

“John was deeply rooted in Tucson’s community, was a graduate of the University of Arizona, retired Tucson business owner and regular volunteer with the Humane Society,” Wadsack wrote in a statement. “This is a travesty in every way, shape and form. My prayers go out to everyone close to him who are affected by this terrible news.”

McLean shared a concession message on Thursday afternoon, promising to “continue to work with my neighbors across LD17 to ensure a brighter future for all Arizonans.”

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