Teen jailed for speeding before fatal crash, Buckeye police say

BUCKEYE, AZ (AZFamily) — An 18-year-old turned himself in Thursday after causing a fatal crash and was charged, Buckeye police said.

Officials said a grand jury indicted Nathan Chaidez on Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Two days later he turned himself in to the police.

Investigators said he was speeding in a Dodge Charger and ran a stop sign at the intersection of Verrado Way and Sunrise Lane, south of Indian School, around 10:15 p.m. on June 20.

Police tried to stop him, but he continued to speed and the officer lost him, investigators said.

A short time later, Chaidez was seen speeding on Verrado Street near Indian School Road without headlights.

Chaidez then lost control of the car and crashed into a tree near Verrado Way and Sunrise Lane.

One of his passengers, 18-year-old Yaritza Vasquez, died at the scene.

His other passenger, an unidentified 15-year-old boy, was taken to hospital and survived.

Chaidez was sent to prison, but it is unclear what his bail was.

Arizona’s family expects to learn more about the crash when court documents are released Friday.

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