Tucson police confirmed Friday that a candidate running for Senate died in a car crash.
A department news release said Democrat John McLean died in a collision with a disabled driver.
Tucson emergency crews were called to respond to the crash at 6 a.m. Friday. McLean, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene.
McLean ran for Senate in Legislative District 17. He was succeeding Republican Vinch Leach at the time of his death.
Police determined through interviews and roadside evidence that McLean was driving eastbound on Broadway Boulevard in a 2019 Toyota Rav4 at the time of the crash. The other driver, Michael Martin Creel, was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer and failed to stop at a stop sign, the police news release said. Creel struck the passenger side of McLean’s vehicle at a speed that police are still trying to determine
An officer determined that Creel, 27, was reportedly impaired at the time of the collision. Creel was jailed on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated driving under the influence. He is currently being held in the Pima County Jail.
Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed condolences upon learning of McLean’s death, first reported by the Arizona daily star.
Leach said McLean was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate.
“My deepest condolences go out to John’s family and friends at this most difficult time. As a third-generation Arizonan, the lives John positively impacted during his lifetime are incalculable, and we should all be fortunate enough to do the same.
Rep. Consuelo Hernandez, D-Tucson, said in a post on X that McLean was filled with so much hope for our future.
“He was one of the few people who made a point of greeting every volunteer, learning their names and thanking everyone. What a loss. My condolences to his family,” Hernandez wrote.
AX post from Senate Democrats said the caucus was heartbroken when they learned of McLean’s death.
“He spent his final days fighting for a better Arizona and we couldn’t be more grateful for his work and dedication to our great state. We extend our deepest condolences to John’s family and loved ones,” Senate Democrats wrote in the post.
