A man believed to be a transient was struck and killed Monday evening after he stepped off the curb on McDowell Road and into westbound traffic.

The accident closed the intersection of Granite Reef and McDowell roads for about four hours Monday. The man, who has not been identified, was struck by a red Nissan truck around 7:40 p.m. The pedestrian was not in the crosswalk at the time. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck was traveling in the curb lane.

Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be a factor and no citations were issued.

Has someone you love been injured or killed by the negligence of another party? Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free in office consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "I am extremely pleased with the Beauchamp Law Office. They are very capable and thorough and have kept in close contact with me throughout the time they have been handling my car accident. I have peace of mind knowing they are doing everything possible in regard to my case. I would highly recommend them to anyone in my situation." A.M.

Posted by Melanie at 10:38 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Phoenix police say a man in a wheelchair was crossing a major street in northwest Phoenix Friday evening when he was hit by an SUV. He died of his injuries the next day at a hospital.

It was dark outside and he was not at a crosswalk. Police have not released the man's name, but said only that he is 50 years old. The man was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center after the accident and died there early Saturday morning.

He was crossing 35th Avenue near Pasadena around 9:50 p.m. Friday when a 22-year-old woman driving a Buick Rendezvous hit him. She is not facing any charges at this point.

Has someone you love been injured or killed by a negligent driver? Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "I am extremely pleased with the Beauchamp Law Office. They are very capable and thorough and have kept in close contact with me throughout the time they have been handling my car accident. I have peace of mind knowing they are doing everything possible in regard to my case. I would highly recommend them to anyone in my situation." A.M.

Posted by Melanie at 12:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The family of a Mesa man killed in a head-on crash with a fleeing bank robber has filed a lawsuit for an unspecified amount against three law-enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit.

Today marks the first anniversary of a collision that ended the lives of Alexander Ahmad, 24, and Richard Schwartz, 25. At the time, police were tailing Schwartz in connection with a Tempe bank robbery.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Maricopa County Superior Court against the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Chandler police and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

The Ahmads' attorney said the actions of police and deputies created dangers for the public that far outweighed any benefits of a pursuit. At least eight police cars were following Schwartz as he veered into oncoming lanes and struck Ahmad's car head-on, creating an explosion that sent wreckage flying across the roadway and into the desert on the Salt River Reservation. Video of the high-speed crash was broadcast live by a news crew that was following the police chase as it snaked around the East Valley.

DPS and Chandler police officials said they could not comment on litigation. A Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said the agency received no notice of the lawsuit.

In the days following the crash, law-enforcement agencies said their officers appeared to act within policy. Results from internal investigations were not available Thursday.

Ahmad's attorney said he takes no issue with the Dec. 5, 2007, pursuit that immediately followed a robbery of the Bank of America at Warner Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe, where Schwartz waved a gun at customers and trained the firearm on a teller before fleeing with more than $13,000 in cash. Tempe officers initially chased Schwartz's gray Nissan Altima, but they backed off to make way for unmarked police cars.

The lawsuit said Schwartz's driving behavior went from erratic to calm when he was unaware of police presence. That was until multiple vehicles with sirens sparked a second pursuit at a Chandler intersection. The second pursuit Ahmad's attorney said, was unnecessary: Police knew where Schwartz was and were monitoring him by unmarked cars, a Mesa police helicopter and tracking devices hidden in the bundles of cash. Schwartz was being pursued by police and sheriff's vehicles when he crossed into oncoming lanes and struck Ahmad's vehicle.

Has someone you love been injured or killed by the negligence of another party? Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free in office consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "I am extremely pleased with the Beauchamp Law Office. They are very capable and thorough and have kept in close contact with me throughout the time they have been handling my car accident. I have peace of mind knowing they are doing everything possible in regard to my case. I would highly recommend them to anyone in my situation." A.M.

Posted by Melanie at 3:12 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Kelly Tracy, a 16-year-old who played in the Highland High School marching band was killed Saturday when she was hit by a driver suspected of being drunk on her way to march in the Gilbert Days Parade.

A Mesa police said Manuel Contreras-Galdean, 32, turned a red Dodge Ram in front of the Nissan Sentra carrying Kelly and her brother, Matthew, who was driving. Contreras-Galdean was impaired. The crash, at Guadalupe and Sossaman roads, was nearly head-on. Matthew was sent to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kelly was transported to the hospital, where she died of head trauma.

Contreras-Galdean was arrested and charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault. Authorities also placed an immigration hold on him after it was determined that he was in the country illegally.

The City of Grace Church held a service for the family on Saturday night. Support has poured in from band families as well as the general community. By Sunday afternoon, a makeshift memorial formed outside Highland High School, a mile west of the crash site. Near a side entrance, about 50 feet from the marching band's trailer, was a photo of Kelly, her hair pulled back as she played a xylophone. Near the picture were a burning candle and a teddy bear with a black Highland High baseball cap. "In Memory of Kelly Tracy" was written in blue on white paper and taped to the brick exterior of the building.

Kelly was a sophomore at Highland. Friends are asking for donations such as toilet paper, milk and bread for visiting family members. A memorial fund will be set up today through Washington Mutual and Chase banks to pay for funeral costs, and a memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the City of Grace Church, 655 E. University Drive in Mesa.

If you have lost a friend or relative or have been injured by a drunk driver, contact an experienced and aggressive wrongful death/personal injury attorney at 480/704-0777 for a free in office consultation of your case. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. provides only the highest quality of service to their clients to obtain the highest possible settlement for their injuries and/or loss. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. today by calling or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "I would highly recommend Beauchamp Law Offices for anyone who, like myself, was devastated when this happened to me. I made one phone call to the Office and immediately felt a warm welcome and comforted by the staff... They talked me through everything and helped me understand what I would be facing during the entire process. They were there for me when I had "many" questions and never made me feel that I was bothering them with my concerns. They kept me up to date via email or phone every step of the way. Even when the main process was completed, yet when I still had all the follow up to complete, they continued to be there for me! I truly appreciated their professionalism and yet most of all appreciated the warmth and caring attention that I received from everyone at the Offices of Beauchamp." DMS

Posted by Melanie at 8:49 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A woman who police said ran her vehicle into a crowd of people gathered at the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident late Wednesday was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk and fleeing the scene of an accident.

Caroline Begay, 39, was arrested in the 700 block of South Country Club Drive in Mesa after she hit several vehicles that had stopped to help a pedestrian who had been struck. 

Two people injured in the accident involving Begay were taken to Maricopa County Hospital and treated for lacerations and bruising. Officers who stopped Begay reported that her speech was slurred and she struggled to maintain her balance. Officers also said she was belligerent and uncooperative and refused field sobriety tests and blood samples.

Begay also had five outstanding warrants and a suspended license as a result of a 2002 DUI conviction, police said. Begay faces charges including leaving the scene of an injury collision, DUI, extreme DUI and driving with a suspended license.

Has someone you love been injured or killed by a drunk driver? Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL:   "I am extremely pleased with the Beauchamp Law Office.  They are very capable and thorough and have kept in close contact with me throughout the time they have been handling my car accident.  I have peace of mind knowing they are doing everything possible in regard to my case.  I would highly recommend them to anyone in my situation."

A.M.

Posted by Melanie at 7:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

 Four people are injured, with one man in critical condition, late tonight after a pedestrian was struck and a multiple-vehicle pileup ensued. The pileup occurred about 10:20 p.m. when a vehicle struck a pedestrian crossing the road at Third Street and Country Club Drive. 

The driver of the vehicle as well as two other drivers stopped to help the seriously injured pedestrian when a truck slammed into all three parked vehicles at full speed. The driver of the truck fled the scene, leaving two passengers injured after the impact with the parked cars.

Both passengers received nonlife-threatening injuries. Paramedics attempted to revive the critically injured man on the street for about five minutes before taking him to a local hospital in extremely critical condition.

Police suspect impairment was a factor.

Have you been injured by the negligence of another driver? Don't be taken advantage of by insurance companies who claim to be on your side. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. today for a free in office consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. By contacting Beauchamp Law Office, P.C., you immediately protect your rights and allow an attorney to pursue your claim and negotiate only the highest possible settlement for your injuries. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by calling 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com to set your appointment today.

"Melanie, I wanted to thank you for all of your assistance with my case. I was very pleased with your staff and the level of communication that I received throughout the process. You did everything for me that you said you would do. I am very happy with my choice to have you represent me. Above all I want to thank you personally for a great outcome. With this behind me I can move forward in a more positive direction." Regards, M.P.

Posted by Melanie at 9:15 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A man and a woman died in separate motorcycle crashes about two hours apart in Mesa on Tuesday.

Alan Hamann, 20, was driving a motorcycle at a high speed westbound on Brown Road at around 4:20 p.m. when it collided with a truck, according to witnesses. The Toyota Tundra truck was turning left, attempting to go eastbound on Brown Road, near 24th Street. The motorcycle hit the front of the truck, and Hamann was pronounced dead at the scene.The driver of the Tundra, a 37-year-old Mesa man, was not injured. No one was cited in the collision.

About two hours later, another truck-motorcycle collision left a woman dead. The 62-year-old driver of a full-size pick-up truck was traveling eastbound on University Drive about 6:30 p.m. when he turned left onto Ellsworth Road in front of a motorcycle. Joanne Ivey, 54, a passenger on the 1969 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was pronounced dead by firefighters. The 53-year-old driver of the motorcycle had serious fractures to the lower parts of his body. He was flown to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital, and was expected to survive.

Neither rider was wearing a helmet.

The driver of the truck was taken to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision, contact an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free in office consultation regarding your claim. At Beauchamp Law Office, P.C., we will protect your rights and fight to obtain the personal injury/wrongful death settlement you deserve for your pain and suffering, injuries and medical bills. We will assist you with obtaining a rental car until your property damage claim is resolved. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by calling 480/302-9719 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com for a free consultation.

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "I am extremely pleased with the Beauchamp Law Office. They are very capable and thorough and have kept in close contact with me throughout the time they have been handling my car accident. I have peace of mind knowing they are doing everything possible in regard to my case. I would highly recommend them to anyone in my situation." A.M.

Posted by Melanie at 4:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A hillside Haiti school where roughly 500 students crowded into several floors collapsed during classes on Friday, killing at least 30 people and injuring many more. Rescuers had to pull bleeding students from the wreckage.

More children were believed buried in the rubble of the concrete building, and the death toll was likely to go higher.

Neighbors suspected the building was poorly rebuilt after it partially collapsed eight years ago. People who lived just downhill abandoned their land out of fear that the building would tumble onto them, and that the school's owner tried to buy up their vacated properties. The concrete building's third story was still under construction, and Petionville Mayor Claire Rudie Parent told the AP she suspects a structural defect caused the collapse, not the recent rains.

Parent said roughly 500 students from kindergarten through high school attend the school, College La Promesse, in the hills above Port-au-Prince. She did not know how many were inside when it collapsed late Friday morning.

The aid group Doctors Without Borders pulled out 85 people, half with life-threatening injuries. Volunteers arrived with shovels and axes and said they would try to deliver water to people trapped inside.

A swelling crowd erupted with wails and prayers as the injured were carried away and emergency vehicles raced up a winding hill to the school. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, was sending two helicopters to help.

United Nations peacekeepers and Haitian police also arrived, trying to clear a path for three battalions of military engineers from Brazil, Chile and Ecuador to assist in the rescue.

If you have lost a loved one and suspect it may be due to the negligence of another party, contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. to set up a free in office consultation with an experienced personal injury/wrongful death attorney. By consulting with an experienced attorney, you are covering all bases to make sure that the correct party is held responsible for your loss. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. by calling 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com for a free consultation today!

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL: "Beauchamp Law Office's knowledge of the whole process allowed me to have the right information so that I could make the right choices for my case to achieve the best possible result. Beauchamp Law Office really played a role in relieving the stress and anxiety that happens in these situations. They kept me informed every step of the way with their expert knowledge of the process." K.R.

Posted by Melanie at 7:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Missing blood evidence delays DUI case in man accused of injuring a Glendale police officer. Officer Steven Kulb, was driving west on Bethany Home Road in June 2005 when Jorge Alberto Rodriguez turned left in front of the police cruiser, resulting in a crash. Glendale police suspected Rodriguez was driving drunk, and he was arrested on charges of endangerment and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

More than three years later, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office says it cannot move forward with the case because the Glendale Police Department does not have the blood evidence it needs. Without any proof of impairment, it would simply be impossible to bring this case forward.

Glendale police are "very concerned that a serious crime may go unpunished, and we are conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances regarding the handling and ultimate disposition of the blood evidence," Sgt. Jim Toomey, a police spokesman, said in a written statement.

The Glendale Police Department usually has a fine track record with the handling of evidence. If the Glendale Police Department does locate the blood sample, the case cannot be prosecuted.

If you have been injured in a collision with another driver that was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a consultation with an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney. At Beauchamp Law Office, P.C., we aggressively fight to obtain the highest possible personal injury settlement to compensate you for your injuries and medical expenses. Attorneys at Beauchamp law Office, P.C. are highly qualified to handle all personal injury claims including car accidents, slip and falls and wrongful death actions. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by calling 480/704-077 or visiting us online at arizonaaccidentinjury.com

BEAUCHAMP LAW OFFICE, P.C. TESTIMONIAL:

"On December 13th my teenage children were involved in a head-on collision. That was the unlucky part of the day. The lucky part was that a friend of mine referred me to the Beauchamp Law Office. Through the tireless efforts of Melanie and her staff, we obtained the maximum amount for the loss of our car, all of our medical bills were paid, and a very generous settlement was obtained for my children's pain and suffering."

"I trusted Melanie Beauchamp with my children. It was a very wise decision."

-D.P.

Posted by Melanie at 3:37 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Police said a 51-year-old man riding his motor scooter Saturday night died after he was struck by a vehicle.

Investigators are still seeking the other driver involved in the accident. Jeffrey V. Gilliland was northbound on 31st and Marlette avenues about 6 p.m., when a vehicle turned left in front of the scooter, striking it.

The suspect, who was possibly driving a dark green Chevrolet Suburban, reportedly fled the scene.

Gilliland was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Have you been injured in a motor vehicle collision or as a pedestrian? Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest personal injury settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

Posted by Melanie at 7:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Woman headed to wedding dies in hit-and-run Eloisa Flores was visiting family in Mesa Friday to attend a family wedding over the weekend.

On Saturday, an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver had claimed her life.

Flores' nephew said the Saturday wedding was postponed to prepare for her funeral. Flores, 48, was one of six passengers in a silver Toyota Tundra truck that was sideswiped by a teal Pontiac Grand Am car on Alma School Road south of Guadalupe Road at 1 a.m. The truck flipped once and landed upright, injuring three of the five people inside.

Flores, a California resident, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Maricopa County Hospital.

The driver of the Grand Am ditched the vehicle less than a mile away in a residential area and has not been located. The vehicle was registered in New Mexico. It was not known whether the vehicle was stolen and the name of the registered owner was not released.

Flores' son received major head injuries. Police said a 20-year-old and an 8-year-old received minor lacerations while a 15-year-old received a broken wrist.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact an attorney before you provide the insurance companies with a statement regarding events. Only provide information to law enforcement personnel and medical personnel. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation with an experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney to discuss your options. At Beauchamp Law Office, P.C., we will protect your rights and fight to obtain the settlement you deserve for your pain and suffering, injuries and medical bills. We will assist you with obtaining a rental car until your property damage claim is resolved. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by calling 480/302-9719 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com for a free consultation.

Posted by Melanie at 4:30 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The family of a New York woman who died at Sky Harbor last year can't move the case to Tucson, a federal judge ruled on Friday.

Carol Gotbaum, 45, died at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after she was shackled and put in a holding cell. A county medical examiner ruled that Gotbaum accidentally strangled to death in her restraints. She also concluded that Gotbaum's blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit for driving.

The Gotbaum family's attorneys filed a wrongful death suit against Phoenix in May and have argued that the case should go before a Tucson jury. It would be tough to get an open-minded jury in Phoenix because the case received a tide of media coverage, they said. Plus, some Internet users anonymously posted anti-Semitic comments about the family on The Arizona Republic website, the attorneys argued in court papers.

U.S. District Judge David Campbell wasn't persuaded. "Although they clearly show that some individuals in unknown locations are not fair minded about this case," the judge wrote, "Plaintiffs provide no reason to conclude that the comments of these bloggers represent the views of the jury pool at large."

Attorneys for both sides are expected to return to court on Nov. 21. The Gotbaum lawsuit alleges that Phoenix city officials were negligent and violated Carol's constitutional rights when she was arrested, the lawsuit says. Police used excessive force, failed to seek medical help and improperly shackled Carol Gotbaum, a violation of internal rules and training, the suit says.

The city maintains that the police handled the case properly.

If you have been injured or lost a family member as a result of another's negligence, contact an experienced wrongful death/personal injury lawyer at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. to protect your rights and obtain the settlement you deserve. The attorneys at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. are highly experienced in handling personal injury claims and wrongful death claims. Our attorneys have over twenty-five (25) years experience in the Court system and negotiating with insurance adjusters and thier attorneys. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. now to set an appointment for a free consultation by contacting 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com. We will fight for you!

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Robert Cotton's family filed a $2 million notice of claim with Maricopa County officials last month and could file suit against the Sheriff's Office if county administrators don't respond by early November.

The video obtained by The Arizona Republic and other news sources shows inmate Pete Van Winkle, 26, jumping up and down on what appears to be the lifeless body of Robert Cotton, 28, before dragging him out to a second-floor walkway and attempting to hoist his body over a railing.

Cotton's brother, Scott Appelbe, said that such a beating could take place means the Sheriff's Office needs to reconsider its approach. He said he is speaking out in the hopes that public pressure will force the Sheriff's Office to change procedures at the facility.

Sheriff's officials said Wednesday that the death could not have been prevented and that they reviewed jail policies and procedures after the death and found no reason for a change. Officials say the detention officer on duty in the control tower of the closed-custody unit, whose job it was to monitor the video cameras during the time of the May 1 slaying, did his job exactly as he was trained.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Van Winkle. On Wednesday, the jail's surveillance video gave the world a chance to see how the assault unfolded. But sheriff's officials said the 19-minute sequence from a single camera offers a far different perspective from what the officer on duty had that night.

Sheriff's officials said the detention officer in the control tower was one of three on duty in the closed-custody unit that evening. He was in the tower monitoring inmates who had been released from their jail cells for free time that evening. But sheriff's officials said detention officers in the towers had other responsibilities.

A sheriff's report about the incident indicates the guard on duty in the tower placed a phone call about training in addition to logging data into a computer and electronically opening and closing doors. The two other officers on duty were on a 20-minute walk through the unit. The tower officer's primary responsibility, in addition to his other duties, was to keep an eye out as the detention officers made their rounds.

The attorney for Cotton's family questioned whether officers should have noticed Cotton wasn't in the right area of the unit during the break period. During other times, he said, they watched him so closely that they knew which restroom he usually used. In the minutes before the slaying, Cotton and Van Winkle can be seen talking in a lower-level recreation area with other inmates, before Cotton rises and walks up to Van Winkle's second-floor cell.

Cotton was given a cell on the first floor of the 36-cell unit because of a medical condition, but Sheridan said Cotton frequently used the second-floor restroom. Cotton's movement to another floor in the closed-custody facility wouldn't have raised any concerns, Sheridan said. The Cotton family's attorney in their legal fight with the county said that corrections officers knew where Cotton went to the restroom shows they paid close attention to the inmates.

From another camera angle, viewers can see the corner of Van Winkle's cell where much of the beating takes place. The footage, obscured by the cell door and wall, shows what appears to be the two men struggling before Van Winkle gets the upper hand.

Policies and procedures that allow for a slaying in one of the county's most secure facilities clearly aren't adequate, Cotton's attorney stated.

If you have been injured or lost a family member as a result of another's error, contact an experienced wrongful death/personal injury lawyer at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. to protect your rights and obtain the settlement you deserve. The attorneys at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. are highly experienced in handling personal injury claims and wrongful death claims. Our attorneys have over twenty-five (25) years experience in the Court system and negotiating with insurance adjusters and thier attorneys. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. now to set an appointment for a free consultation by contacting 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com. We will fight for you!

Posted by Melanie at 5:05 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A DPS officer and medic for the Department of Public Safety was killed during a mountain rescue in Sedona on Monday.

A DPS helicopter team was called to Bear Mountain to rescue two stranded hikers. One of the hikers had already gotten aboard the helicopter. DPS Officer Bruce Harrolle, 36,of Mesa was escorting the second patient into the chopper when he was struck by one of the helicopter's rotor blades and fatally injured.

Both hikers were flown to safety. Investigators from the department and the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office have begun conducting an investigation into Harrolle's death.

Harrolle is a nine-year veteran with DPS and he leaves behind a wife and two young children. He was based out of Flagstaff.

If you have been injured or lost a family member as a result of another's error, contact an experienced wrongful death/personal injury lawyer at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. to protect your rights and obtain the settlement you deserve. The attorneys at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. are highly experienced in handling personal injury claims and wrongful death claims. Our attorneys have over twenty-five (25) years experience in the Court system and negotiating with insurance adjusters and thier attorneys. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. now to set an appointment for a free consultation by contacting 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com. We will fight for you!

Posted by Melanie at 4:33 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A Scottsdale man fell to his death Monday afternoon from an overlook at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Michael S. Wilson, 47, fell from the first viewpoint along Desert View Drive, a 25-mile stretch that attracts tourists for it scenic views. National Park Service Rangers responded to a 911 call around 4:15 p.m. from witnesses that reportedly saw Wilson fall.

Rangers on the rim and in a park helicopter spotted the man 250 feet below. Rescue workers quickly hiked down to Wilson, but determined he had died as a result of the fall. The body was airlifted and taken to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's office in Flagstaff.

The National Park Service is conducting an investigation, however, initial speculations are that it was accidental. Two falling fatalities were also reported in August.

An average of 2 or 3 people die a year at the Grand Canyon from accidental falls.

If you have lost a loved one and suspect it may be due to the negligence of another party, contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. to set up a free in office consultation with an experienced personal injury/wrongful death attorney. By consulting with an experienced attorney, you are covering all bases to make sure that the correct party is held responsible for your loss. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. by calling 480/704-0777 or visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com for a free consultation today!

Posted by Melanie at 5:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

An 18-year-old girl has died following a collision involving four vehicles in Phoenix Wednesday night.

Arizona State University student Nora Risha, 18, was ejected from a van after a 2006 silver Nissan struck the car she was traveling in. Two other teenagers, ages 16 and 14, also suffered serious injuries, but are expected to survive. 

Students and officials at McClintock High School mourned her death Thursday. Risha, who graduated in May, was popular with students and teachers at the high school according to Detective Brandon Banks, who is assigned to the school. He said Risha was active in Muslim student associations at McClintock and ASU.

A 14-year-old teen who was also in Risha's car is a freshman at McClintock. The crash occurred at around 10 p.m. near the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Cactus Road in Phoenix. The roads were closed following the accident and reopened at around 7 a.m. Thursday morning.

Witnesses said they saw the driver of the Nissan run a red a light going northbound on 43rd Avenue. Officials said the 43-year-old driver of the Nissan is under investigation and is believed to have been impaired. He was taken to John C. Lincoln Hospital to be treated for injuries. The driver was expected to be arrested. The other vehicles involved in the crash have not been identified.

Has someone you loved been injured or killed by a drunk driver? Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation with a highly experienced wrongful death and personal injury attorney. Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. will fight to protect your rights and obtain only the highest settlement for your claim. Contact Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. 24 hours a day by visiting arizonaaccidentinjury.com or calling 480/704-0777 to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your claim.

Posted by Melanie at 4:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Prosecutors cleared officers of criminal wrongdoing in death of a New York City woman who died at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport while in police custody last year.

Carol Anne Gotbaum accidentally asphyxiated herself after being chained to a bench in a police holding room after her Sept. 28 arrest. Police said the 45-year-old was intoxicated and unruly after missing her connecting flight while on the way to a substance-abuse rehabilitation clinic in Tucson. Mrs. Gotbaum was flying alone and without an escort.

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas says officers didn't know Gotbaum suffered from alcoholism and depression and while her death was tragic, they did nothing wrong. Gotbaum's family has filed an $8 million lawsuit against Phoenix and its police department.

Posted by Melanie at 12:13 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The family of a Casa Grande police officer killed during a Pinal County SWAT training exercise is seeking $11.5 million for his death.

Lawyers representing the family filed a notice of claim - a settlement offer before a lawsuit - with the county Tuesday.

Sgt. Tate Lynch, 36, died Oct. 25 when he fell nearly 50 feet while rappelling off a Pinal County detention center in Florence.

The claim asks $4 million for his widow, Christie Lynch, and $2.5 million for each of his three children, stating that negligent acts by the sheriff's office "caused and contributed" to Lynch's death.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety investigation of Lynch's death was released to the Tribune this week. The DPS report and an investigation by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health show that few safety measures or precautions were taken and little instruction, if any, was provided to Lynch and other rappellers. The investigations found:

No safety checks were done on equipment.

The instructor overseeing the exercise lacked qualification, with training only from an intermediate rappelling class.

No safety spotters or equipment, including helmets, were used. The rope used during Lynch's rappel was too thin for the device he was using, causing it to slip.

Lynch was a two-year member of the sheriff's office SWAT team, made up of officers from several police departments in Pinal County. He was doing the rappelling exercise as part of required training.

Lynch was one of the last scheduled to rappel.

After he climbed over the wall, Lynch dropped a short distance and stopped for a few seconds before going into a free-fall, records show. On the way down, he hit his head on the wall and landed on a steel mesh picnic table.

The medical examiner determined that Lynch died from blunt force head trauma, and investigators calculated that he hit the table at more than 20 mph.

Lynch and other rappellers were told by the officer running the exercise, Ben Cook, that they didn't need helmets, DPS records show. There were also no safety spotters, or belays, even though it was the first time many of the SWAT officers had ever rappelled and the first time the sheriff's office used a new descending device.

A belay is a spotter who stands above or below a rappeller and can pull on excess rope to stop a descent - something required by safety regulations and used by other SWAT teams.

ADOSH issued two $7,000 fines against the sheriff's office in April. Sheriff's officials have hired a law firm to challenge the agency's findings and fines.

But it's not clear whether DPS will recommend charges for Lynch's death or if further action will be taken.

Detective Jennifer McGrath, the DPS investigator, did not return calls seeking comment, and department officials said they will not comment on the investigation without the consent of the sheriff's office or Casa Grande city officials.

The Pinal County Attorney's Office has not been given the report from DPS, which is awaiting test results from ASU on equipment worn and used by Lynch. Officials said it will be a few weeks until tests are completed.

Since Lynch's death, the sheriff's office has suspended all rappelling exercises and is reorganizing SWAT command and procedures. It has also created a position to oversee training and formed a review board of experts from outside police departments.

The sheriff's office has declined to comment on the investigations, and lawyers representing the Lynch family did not return calls Thursday.

If you have lost a loved on as a result of the negligence of another person/party, contact an attorney with experience in wrongful death claims at Beauchamp Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation. Call (480) 302-9719 or visit arizonaaccidentinjury.com to speak with an attorney today.

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Eight months after a former state lawmaker died in a three-way car crash last year, lawyers are warring over who was at fault in his death. Was it the two drivers allegedly racing along Scottsdale Road at high speed when they slammed into Calvin Holman's Chevrolet Camaro on Dec. 28, flipping him 75 feet into the air? Or was Holman to blame for turning left into the path of the allegedly speeding Mercedes and Mustang sweeping northbound on Scottsdale Road?

In the midst of the legal wrangling, blood tests revealed that Robert Van Brakel, at the wheel of the Mercedes sedan, had marijuana in his system. It was not immediately clear whether the drug was a factor in the crash.

Prosecutors in Pinal County have charged Van Brakel of Phoenix, and Travis Jordan Aronica, of Michigan, with second-degree murder in Holman's death.

The case is being tried in the neighboring county because Van Brakel's sister is a Maricopa County prosecutor. Both defense lawyers, said Holman was at fault for turning left into the path of the oncoming cars, a violation of state law.

The attorney representing the Holman family in a wrongful-death suit against Van Brakel and Aronica dismisses the defense attorneys' arguments.

Aronica and Van Brakel were "driving at ambush speeds," the Holman's attorney said, and according to "nearly every witness," were making "severe lane changes."

Court records show that Aronica has been cited nine times for speeding and once each for careless and reckless driving since 2001. Aronica has been cited in Michigan, Virginia, Florida and Maryland. Five months before Holman's death, Aronica was cited for reckless driving for going 84 mph in a 65 mph zone in Greensville County, Va. Aronia paid $906 in speeding tickets in six of the 11 cases. Fine amounts weren't available in the other five.

Van Brakel has a less-extensive driving record, but reached higher speeds. In November 2004, he was clocked driving 120 mph in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 17 near Mayer. He told the officer he was "trying out a new car," records shows. The ticket cost him $480. In June 2004, Van Brakel paid a $293 fine for driving 67 mph in a 40 mph zone in Scottsdale. He was also cited for separate criminal and civil traffic citations in North Valley Justice Court in 2006, but details were not available. T

he Holman's attorney states that Aronica and Van Brakel had been driving the 45 mph speed limit when they were driving north on Scottsdale Road, Holman would have "had plenty of time to make the turn."

Court records based on the Scottsdale police investigation cited witnesses who gauged the men's speed at up to 100 mph. The document gives this account of the accident.

Van Brakel could not stop his Mercedes and slammed into Holman's Chevrolet Camaro on the passenger side. Aronica's Mustang struck next. The impact flipped the Mustang upside down in a ditch, and sent Holman 75 feet into the air. He died at the scene. He had been a Republican state representative from 1975 to 1985.

Mehrens discounts the 100 mph-speed estimates. His accident reconstruction experts says Aronica was driving about 65 mph in the 45 mph zone, and Van Brakel was traveling about 70 mph. The defense expert found that the accident could have happened at 47 mph. The men deny that they men were racing.

Beauchamp Law Office is composed of criminal defense and personal injury attorneys. If you have been charged with a criminal offense or have been the victim of another's negligence, contact an attorney for a free consultation by visiting beauchamplawoffice.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Elder sons of fallen photographer file 2nd suit PHOENIX - A second lawsuit has been filed in the wake of a deadly media helicopter crash.

The two grown sons of photographer Rick Krolak filed a wrongful death lawsuit against channels 3 and 15 as well as our parent companies, and U.S. Helicopters Incorporated.

The suit alleges the companies are responsible for the actions of the pilots they employed. Krolak's minor son filed a separate lawsuit last week.

3TV photographer Jim Cox and pilot Scott Bowerbank and channel 15 pilot Craig Smith also died in the mid-air collision last year.

The NTSB still has not issued a final report on the cause of the crash

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The first lawsuit has been filed in connection to last year's helicopter crash that killed four Valley journalists.

The crash involved helicopters from Channel 3 and Channel 15. The suit was filed on behalf of the son of Rick Krolak, the Channel 15 photographer who died in the accident.

The lawsuit claims pilot Craig Smith and Smith's employer, U.S. Helicopter Incorporated, are responsible for Krolak's death. Rick Krolak's son, Colton, is a minor at 15 years old so he has court-appointed people responsible for making financial decisions for him. They have filed this lawsuit.

Colton gave a moving speech at the memorial for the first anniversary of the crash just this past Sunday. In stark contrast to Colton's touching speech, a wrongful death lawsuit filed on his behalf uses harsh words to assign blame for the deadly crash. It holds pilot Craig Smith and his employer responsible for the death of Colton's father.

While the exact cause of the crash has yet to be determined, much of the lawsuit seems to be based on a preliminary crash report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.

It says Channel 3's helicopter was stationary while Channel 15's was maneuvering. The lawsuit states: "Defendant Craig Smith failed....to control the Channel 15 helicopter and caused it or allowed it to collide with the Channel 3 helicopter."

Attorneys say U.S. Helicopter Incorporated"...knew or should have known....that defendant Craig Smith was a reckless, dangerous pilot..." Aviation attorneys say they saw this lawsuit coming. They expect several more crash-related lawsuits to be filed in the coming months.

The suit filed on behalf of Colton Krolak does not ask for a specific dollar amount and says more defendants could be named. Craig Smith's family has hired an aviation attorney from Colorado. He says he had not heard of the lawsuit until Thursday and had no comment.  

If a family member has been the victim of a wrongful death due to the negligence of another, contact Beauchamp Law Office for representation to protect your rights and obtain the maximum settlement you deserve for your loss at beauchamplawoffice.com

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