Phoenix Crash Leaves 16-Year-Old Dead, 3 People Hurt

PHOENIX — Speed and alcohol may have contributed to a crash late Sunday in northeast Phoenix that left a teen dead and three others hurt, police said Monday.

A Ford Mustang collided with a Honda Accord around 9:30 p.m. Sunday near 36th Street and Indian School Road, in the city's Camelback East Village section, police said. Tomas Villaverde, a 16-year-old passenger in the mustang, died in the crash.

"Investigators learned a Ford Mustang was traveling east on Indian School Road at a high rate of speed, and collided with a Honda Accord that was attempting to turn left onto 36th Street," Sgt. Ann Justus said. "As a result of the collision, the Honda was pushed into a traffic signal pole."

Three teens were in the Mustang. The impact threw two of them from the car, police said.

A 17-year-old driver and another 16-year-old suffered serious injuries. Both were expected to survive, police said. Investigators believe speed contributed to the crash.

The 50-year-old driver of the Honda, was hospitalized in serious condition. He was expected to survive. The man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Any criminal charges will be decided pending investigation and lab results.