The man accused of causing a giant motorcycle accident and killing four in north Phoenix last month has been indicted by a Maricopa County Grand Jury.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that 46-year-old Michael John Jakscht has been indicted on four counts of manslaughter, five counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment.
Police say Jakscht was driving a dump truck when he struck 10 motorcycles and three other vehicles at Carefree Highway and 27th Drive on March 25. Three riders died at the scene and another died at the hospital. Five other riders were injured.
After an investigation, Jakscht was arrested on April 6.
Police say toxicology reports show Jakscht was on illegal drugs at the time of the fatal collision. Phoenix Police Department spokesman Trent Crump said Jakscht was under surveillance while police waited for toxicology test results from the collision. He was reportedly under surveillance at his residence in Scottsdale when the surveillance team observed him leaving and noticed “impaired driving behavior.”Crump said toxicology results confirmed initial testing showing that illegal drugs were present in Jakscht’s system at the time of the collision. The illegal substance is believed to be methamphetamine.
Jakscht is reportedly being held on a $1,000,000 bond.
Police said Clyde R. Nachand, 67, Stephen Punch, 52, and Daniel L. Butler, 35, were killed while sitting at a stop light when their motorcycles were struck by the commercial truck. A female victim, 47-year-old Dayle Veronica Downs-Totonchi, died several days later.
One of those injured, 52-year-old Phoenix Fire Captain Ernie Lizarraga, was in critical condition, according to Samudio.
SEE PICTURES FROM THE ACCIDENT IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO SLIDESHOW
A 39-year-old woman, 35-year-old man, and another male were in serious condition, according to police. Samudio said another male, 48-years old, was treated and released from the hospital. Police have not released their identities.
Family members of one of the victims were at the crash site the next day to leave behind balloons and candles. They wouldn’t say which victim was a relative. “We are just glad we had the opportunity to know him for too short a time,” said Traci Morton.
Stephen Punch was also one of the three motorcyclists killed Thursday. Punch is originally from Louisiana. His neighbors say the 52-year-old lived in Scottsdale for about five years and was passionate about motorcycles. “He would do anything for anyone,” said Frank Westbrook, a close neighbor.
He was well known to employees and patrons at Brennans at Thunderbird and Scottsdale roads in Scottsdale. His friends are working with employees at the bar and grill on setting up a memorial for him and possibly a fundraiser depending on his family’s needs.
Police said previously that Jakscht was eastbound on Carefree Highway when he failed to control his speed and collided with the rear of the eight motorcycles and four other vehicles. Witnesses reportedly told officials the motorcycle riders were dragged 50 to 75 yards.
Some of the motorcycles burst into flames under the dump truck, while others ended up scattered behind the truck. I saw the fire go up and black smoke off the truck, I saw motorcycles and people all over the pavement,” said John Cox, who witnessed the crash.
Other drivers involved in the incident said it was a disturbing and horrific scene they’ll never forget. I didn’t see him (dump truck) coming, we had just come to a full stop there, then boom,” said Glenn Werlau. “Then I saw bodies lying underneath it (dump truck) and, oh God, it was horrible.”
The three riders that died at the scene were trapped under the truck, said Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Jacobs. hoenix Fire Department Deputy Chief Frank Salomon said he knows Lizarraga very well. They “grew up” in the Department together.
Salomon added that Lizarraga, a 22-year veteran, was scheduled to work Thursday but took a vacation day in order to presumably take advantage of the good weather and join the others on the ride.
Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris said, “I have never seen such a horrific accident involving so many motorcycles.”
According to police, Jakscht, who was driving the Blue Sky Sanitation truck, received minor injuries and showed no signs of impairment at the scene.
Jakscht was cited in 2005 for operating a truck with excess weight and in 2006 for having parts or accessories operating in an unsafe or improper condition. In 2009, while driving a Blue Sky Sanitation truck, Jakscht was cited for not having a fire extinguisher, no pre-trip inspection and failure to inspect emergency equipment. hat case was dismissed by the Scottsdale City Attorney because their office felt there was not a reasonable likelihood of conviction. akscht currently has two pending speeding tickets, both issued this month.