Family praying for miracle, as victim of weekend crash remains in hospital
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- After a night out, a couple of party goers did the responsible thing by calling a Lyft for a ride home. Sadly, that did not prevent them from becoming involved in a life-threatening crash.
Scottsdale Police say a suspected drunk driver ran a red light and plowed into them. Now, a 23-year-old Phoenix woman is clinging to life.
The incident happened around 2 a.m. Saturday, and the two Lyft passengers were rushed to the hospital, after police say a 66-year-old man driving a pickup truck rammed into the sedan they were riding in. The suspected drunk driver got out of jail on bail, and one of the passengers remains in critical condition, on life support.
Friends of the two passengers riding in the backseat of the sedan say they had spent Friday night in Old Town Scottsdale. Afterwards, they called a Lyft to take them home. Police say the car was heading south on Hayden when it was t-boned by a red light runner that was going east on Thomas.
Although the airbags deployed, the passengers both suffered major head injuries.
The Lyft driver was not hurt.
Police say the pickup driver, identified as Pervis Pendleton, smelled of alcohol, and had bloodshot watery eyes. The 66-year-old appeared unhurt at his initial court appearance after the crash.
According to police, a preliminary breath test done at the scene shows Pendleton's blood alcohol level was 0.127, which is above the legal limit.
Bail was set at $100,000 for Pendleton, which he posted two days later. The judge ordered he wear an electronic ankle monitor and an alcohol monitor. Court records show Pendleton spent time in prison in the 1990's for assault, and he has also been convicted of drug charges.
Police say Pendleton admitted to drinking two beers at a friend's house before the crash. A search warrant was issued for a blood sample for further testing. At this point, he is facing aggravated assault and endangerment charges. More charges, including DUI, could be added.
Meanwhile, family and friends say Ali, the 23-year-old female passenger in the Lyft, remains on life support at the hospital. A GoFundMe page was set up, asking for help with medical expenses. Ali's head injuries are life-threatening, and she remains in a coma, with loved ones praying for a miracle, hoping she will survive.
GoFundMe for Ali
https://www.gofundme.com/donations-for-ali-medical-expenses