Tempe man pleads not guilty in Chandler hit-and-run
PHOENIX – 43-year-old Nathan Joseph Painter, a Tempe man accused of causing an accident in Chandler and fleeing the accident spot, has pleaded not guilty in the case. The accident happened on 26th of October, 2013.
Painter was charged with 8 counts including endangerment, aggravated assault, hit-and-run and aggravated driving under the influence. On Monday morning, the plea was entered by him. He is summoned to court on 14th of January , 2014, for an initial pretrial conference.
According to Chandler police, Painter lost control of his pickup truck on Ray Road, went over the sidewalk and down into a retention basin. His car then went airborne and hit a Nissan Pathfinder that was traveling on Arrowhead Drive. After the collision, the Pathfinder rolled 2 times before coming to rest.
Painter drove away from the accident spot at high speed in an attempt to escape but witnesses followed him until he eventually stopped.
Two 3-year-old boys travelling in the Pathfinder suffered life-threatening injuries. A 2-year-old girl and the 61-year-old driver suffered minor injuries. Painter’s girlfriend was also injured in the collision, said police.
Police said impairment was a reason of the accident, Painter was driving while intoxicated.
News Source: www.AZFamily.com
