Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bar Visit Tied to Tempe Hit-and-Run Suspect Spurs Raid Finding 249 Underage

Police credit video and plate analysis for identifying the 19-year-old who later surrendered.

Overview

  • Tempe police say an 18-year-old motorcyclist first struck a Waymo self-driving vehicle near Rural Road and Lemon Street around 1:21 a.m. on Sept. 14.
  • Seconds later, a white Chevrolet Camaro hit the motorcyclist and left the scene, and the driver now faces a felony count of failing to stop at a collision involving death.
  • Investigators say the 19-year-old went to Tempe Tavern just after 10 p.m., left around 12:45 a.m., walked home and later drove before the fatal collision.
  • The bar connection and ongoing complaints led to a Nov. 20 compliance sweep that found 249 underage patrons, with arrests for fake IDs, underage intoxication and providing false information.
  • Fire inspectors logged at least one fire-code violation and state liquor regulators opened a separate review, while one outlet identified the suspect as Ava Bellowe.