PHOENIX — Police say it all started with a beer run and ended with the death of an innocent driver.
Following the horrific crash, the intersection of Baseline Rd and 19th Ave was closed off from 1 a.m. Monday for most of the morning commute.
Police believe it all started when two people, a man and woman, stole some beer from a convenience store near 55th Avenue and McDowell Road about 12:30 a.m. Monday and fled in a vehicle.
Later, a patrol officer saw the driver and passenger switching seats, which looked suspicious, so he initiated a traffic stop.
When police tried to pull the car over, the driver stopped, but then kept going before the officer could get close.
Police used their helicopter to follow the car as it went westbound and then onto the I-10 freeway.
Eventually, the suspects ended up at 19th Avenue and Baseline and ran a red light — at the same time the victim’s vehicle was heading eastbound on Baseline.
“The suspect vehicle collided with the 4-door vehicle — there was a fairly big accident and the driver of the 4-door vehicle was killed at the scene,” said Detective James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department.
The suspects were taken to a valley hospital and are expected to live. Police have not released their names.
Police have identified the victim as 27-year-old Abel Abebe, an ASU student from Ethiopia. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Abebe was driving to work.
“He was very special and I’m going to miss him dearly,” says friend Kiki Tedla. “We need some justice to take place on his behalf.”
