One dead after tow truck collides with 6 bicyclists in Flagstaff (AZ) "UPDATED 02.15.22"

[TowNews]

 

 

Six bicyclists were hit by a tow truck at the Butler Avenue and Beaver Street intersection late Friday in Flagstaff after the driver ran a red light, authorities say. One bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Four bicyclists have been transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center, while one refused treatment, authorities said. The names of the bicyclists have not been released by authorities at this time.

 

Police responded to the incident at approximately 7 p.m. after reports of an accident involving serious injuries.

 

Authorities say a moving van was being towed by the truck when the collision occurred. The driver was traveling westbound on Butler Avenue when he allegedly ran a red light.

 

A police investigation into the incident is ongoing and an arrest has not yet been made.

 

The bicyclists were hit by the truck as they started to cross the intersection southbound on Beaver Street. Authorities say the light for the bicyclists had already turned green as they started to cross.

 

The Flagstaff Police Department has asked for assistance from partnering agencies due to the scope of the incident. The FPD’s Accident Reconstruction Team was also called to the scene.

 

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[TowNews]

Tow truck driver arrested following Flagstaff crash that killed 1 woman, injured 4 others

 

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - A tow truck driver has been arrested after hitting six bicyclists in Flagstaff, killing a woman and sending four others to the hospital on May 28.

 

Flagstaff police say a tow truck had ran a red light on Butler Avenue and Beaver Street, crashing into a group of bicyclists traveling south down the intersection.

 

One rider, identified as 29-year-old Joanna Wheaton, died in the collision. Four others were hospitalized, and another bicyclist refused treatment.

 

The driver, Norman Cloutier, was charged with causing a death by a moving violation, Flagstaff police say.

 

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[TowNews]

Plea deal may be in works for tow truck driver in Flag Bike Party crash

 

The tow truck driver who struck multiple people during the 2021 Flagstaff Bike Party crash and is also accused of possessing thousands of images of child pornography may get a plea deal. 

 

Normand Cloutier appeared virtually in Coconino County Superior Court on Monday alongside his Phoenix-based attorney, James Simpson. The hearing was technically dedicated to the 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Cloutier is facing, but it quickly diverged, alluding to a possible resolution in both the alleged child pornography case and the Bike Party crash. 

 

Parker Stanley, prosecutor for the Coconino County Attorney's Office, indicated an indictment has been filed in another case against Cloutier. It's not clear whether the indictment stems from the Bike Party or is something different altogether. A copy of the indictment wasn't immediately available Monday. The Arizona Daily Sun requested a copy of the document and additional details Monday, but the indictment had been sealed. 

 

He is set to appear in court again on Feb. 22 for an arraignment in the second case. Stanley said the state is reaching out to the victims in the case to meet. He also noted they're considering a plea deal outside of a formal trial. 

 

Cloutier was indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in September 2021 after detectives allegedly found more than 7,000 sexually explicit images on his phone while investigating the collision. Officials allege Cloutier ran a red light while turning right onto Butler Avenue on May 28, 2021, while driving a heavy-duty tow truck hauling a box truck. The vehicle collided with a large gathering of cyclists riding to bring attention to bike safety. Joanna "Jo" Wheaton was killed and multiple others were injured. 

 

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