PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man accused of striking and killing a teen who was walking on a Phoenix sidewalk was allegedly driving double the speed limit at the time of the crash late last week.
James Nolan-Michael Powers is jailed on charges of manslaughter and hit-and-run following the collision that left 15-year-old Jaime Pacheco Ramirez dead.
The crash happened just before 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, on 19th Avenue just south of Cactus Road. Phoenix police officers who were at a Circle K across the street ran to the crash scene and found Ramirez with critical injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, but died a short time later.
James Nolan-Michael Powers, 27, is in jail in connection with a crash that left 15-year-old Jaime Pacheco Ramirez dead.(Arizona’s Family/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Witnesses told police that a Ford Mustang was northbound on 19th Avenue in the curb lane when the driver lost control, hit a utility pole and then continued onto the sidewalk before colliding with the teen. They estimated he was driving over 80 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone before the crash.
Court documents say Powers was standing outside his car as officers first arrived. As they were rendering aid to Ramirez, Powers reportedly ran from the scene.
Witnesses followed Powers and pointed him out to other responding officers, who took him into custody. Per documents, investigators noted that he had bloodshot, watery eyes, smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech.
After refusing to complete field sobriety tests, Powers was arrested and taken to a police substation, where he reportedly gave a thumbs-up sign and shrugged his shoulders when advised of his rights. He was taken to a hospital for a blood draw before being booked into the Maricopa County jail.
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