Arizona state Senate candidate John McLean killed in suspected DUI crash

A Democratic candidate for a seat within the Arizona Senate was killed in an early morning DUI crash in Tucson on Friday, police confirmed.

John McLean, 68, died after Michael Martin Creel, 27, allegedly ran a cease signal and struck his car, based on the Tucson Police Division. Creel is being held on the Pima County Jail on manslaughter and aggravated DUI fees.

McLean died on the scene, and police decided that velocity and impairment have been recognized components within the deadly crash.

In accordance with court docket paperwork obtained by native outlet 13 Information, Creel had a DUI case towards him dismissed in December 2023.

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Police confirmed John McLean, a Democratic candidate for Arizona’s state Senate, was killed in an early morning crash by a suspected drunk driver in Tucson. (John McLean For LD17 Fb)

The Arizona Senate Democrats additionally confirmed McLean’s passing. 

“We’re heartbroken to listen to concerning the passing of LD17 Senate Candidate John McLean. He spent his remaining days combating for a greater Arizona and we couldn’t be extra grateful for his work and dedication to our nice state,” the group posted in an announcement on X. “We lengthen our deepest sympathies to John’s household and family members.”

McLean was operating towards Republican Vince Leach for the District 17 seat within the Arizona Senate. Leach additionally launched an announcement and despatched his condolences to McLean’s household and associates.

“My ideas and prayers are with the McLean household for his or her tragic loss right this moment,” Leach stated. “John was an excellent man who carried out himself honorably as a candidate. My deepest condolences exit to John’s household and associates on this most troublesome time.”

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Leach was main McLean by greater than 3,000 votes when election outcomes have been introduced on Friday afternoon. McLean, who was operating for workplace for the primary time, had conceded the race lower than 24 hours earlier than the crash.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to run because the Democratic candidate for the LD17 Senate seat. Whereas the result isn’t what we hoped for, I’m pleased with the work that so many individuals put into our marketing campaign,” McLean wrote partially on his marketing campaign Fb web page.

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State Sen. Mitzi Epstein provided her condolences in an announcement after saying she had simply spoken to McLean on Monday.

“I simply spoke with John Monday this week. His optimism about Arizonans by no means wavered. He stepped as much as do a volunteer job that required lengthy hours on daily basis, and he introduced a smile and considerate phrases to each door. My coronary heart is along with his household,” Epstein wrote in a put up on X.

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Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs additionally paid tribute to McLean and stated he was a “true public servant,” calling his dying a “tragic loss.” 

“John was a real public servant who cared deeply about Arizona. He all the time wished to do what was finest for his neighborhood, and he might be remembered for that. This can be a tragic loss, and my coronary heart breaks for his household and family members. Sending all my like to those that knew him,” Hobbs wrote in a put up on X. 

Police stated that the investigation into the deadly crash is ongoing. 

Stepheny Worth is a author for Fox Information Digital.