Tempe, AZ – A 48-year-old man was arrested on multiple charges following a hit-and-run incident that left a 16-year-old girl in critical condition early this morning. The girl was struck by a vehicle while crossing Broadway Road near Country Club Road, and the driver fled the scene, sparking a swift investigation by local authorities.
At around 6:30 a.m., 9-1-1 operators received multiple calls from witnesses reporting a dark-colored SUV had hit the teenager, who was running against the light at the intersection. Officers from the Tempe Police Department responded quickly, arriving to find the teen lying in the road with serious injuries. Tempe Fire and Medical Rescue transported her to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
As officers canvassed the area for evidence and spoke with witnesses, investigators turned to technology for assistance. The newly-established Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) utilized traffic cameras to help track the suspect vehicle. Initial reports suggested a dark-colored SUV was involved, but further investigation revealed the vehicle was actually a white Honda Odyssey.
Within eight hours of the collision, Tempe Vehicular Crimes detectives located the suspect vehicle and apprehended the driver, later identified as Vicente Diaz Castellanos. Castellanos, 48, was arrested on two felony charges related to the incident:
- Accidents Involving Death or Physical Injury (Class 3 Felony) – Failure to immediately stop the vehicle after the collision.
- Accidents Involving Death or Physical Injury (Class 3 Felony) – Failure to remain at the scene of the accident.
The arrest came as a relief to the community, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The teenager’s condition remains critical, and her family has not yet released a public statement.
Tempe Police Chief, noting the effectiveness of the new Real-Time Operations Center, praised the swift action of officers and detectives in locating the suspect. “Thanks to our collaboration with RTOC and the quick response from our team, we were able to bring justice to this case in record time,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.