Join WhatsApp Channel
Join Telegram ChannelA Democratic candidate for an Arizona Senate seat was killed Friday in a drunken driving crash in Tucson, police confirmed.
John McLean, 68, died after Michael Martin Creel, 27, allegedly ran a stop sign and struck his vehicle, according to the Tucson Police Department. Creel is being held in the Pima County Jail on charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated DUI charges.
McLean died at the scene and police determined speed and impairment were known factors in the fatal crash.
According to court documents obtained by local media outlet 13 News, Creel had a DUI case against him dismissed in December 2023.
GOP INcumbent EXPECTED TO DEFEAT CHALLENGER DEM IN CLOSELY WATCHED ARIZONA HOUSE RACE
Police have confirmed that John McLean, a Democratic candidate for Arizona state Senate, was killed in an early morning crash by a suspected drunk driver in Tucson. (John McLean for Facebook LD17)
Arizona Senate Democrats also confirmed McLean's death.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of LD17 Senate candidate John McLean. He spent his final days fighting for a better Arizona and we could not be more grateful for his work and dedication to our great state “, the group published in a press release. on X. “We express our deepest condolences to John's family and loved ones.”
McLean was running against Republican Vince Leach for the District 17 seat in the Arizona Senate. Leach also released a statement and sent his condolences to McLean's family and friends.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean family on their tragic loss today,” Leach said. “John was a good man who performed honorably as a candidate. My deepest condolences go out to John's family and friends during this most difficult time.”
5 KILLED IN ARIZONA WHEN SMALL PLANE CRASHES INTO CAR DURING TAKEOFF
Leach was ahead of McLean by more than 3,000 votes when election results were announced Friday afternoon. McLean, who was running for office for the first time, had conceded the race less than 24 hours before the accident.
“It has been an honor and privilege to run as the Democratic candidate for Senate seat LD17. Even though the outcome was not what we hoped for, I am proud of the work that so many people put into our campaign,” McLean wrote. partly on his Facebook campaign page.
MORE THAN 500,000 BALLOTS STILL UNCOUNTED IN ARIZONA: “ELECTIONS DO NOT END ON ELECTION DAY”
State Sen. Mitzi Epstein offered her condolences in a statement after saying she had just spoken to McLean on Monday.
“I just spoke with John on Monday this week. His optimism about Arizonans never wavered. He committed to doing volunteer work that required long hours every day, and he brought a smile and thoughtful words at every door. My heart is with his family,” Epstein wrote in an article on X.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs also paid tribute to McLean and said he was a “true public servant,” calling his death a “tragic loss.”
“John was a true public servant who cared deeply about Arizona. He always wanted to do what was best for his community, and he will be remembered for that. This is a tragic loss and my heart breaks for his family and loved ones I send all my love to those who knew him,” Hobbs wrote in a post on X.
Police said the investigation into the fatal crash was ongoing.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital.