Phoenix driver arrested after deadly I-10 crash kills young child, DPS says

6-year-old killed by accused drunk driver on I-10, sibling remains hospitalized

A 21-year-old alleged drunk driver was arrested in a crash on I-10 that killed a 6-year-old girl and hospitalized her 4-year-old sister, while the family was on their way to the Arizona State Fair. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach reports.

PHOENIX - A 6-year-old child died and a 2-year-old was hospitalized after a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 10 in Phoenix that shut down part of the freeway late Sunday, authorities said.

What we know:

The deadly crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, in the eastbound lanes of I-10 near 67th Avenue, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS reports that a pickup truck struck a sedan carrying five people, causing the car to hit a concrete median wall.

The Murray family was on their way to the Arizona State Fair Sunday night when they were hit by a reckless driver, who police say was drunk. The family's vehicle hit a cement median, where their 6-year-old little girl passed away. Her 2-year-old sister was rushed to Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Six-year-old Armyah Murray was killed at the scene. She leaves behind two sisters, her mother, father, and grandmother.

"I would have put me first because that's my baby, you know? And now I have to live every day without her," said Areale Murray, Armyah's mother. "She was the light of us, you know? She was everything. She always smiles. She always sings."

The three sisters, Ari, Armyah, and Arianna, who their mother affectionately called "the Ari's," are now missing their middle piece. The family was heading out for a Sunday night at the Arizona State Fair when police say they were hit by 21-year-old Turatsinze Gadi of Avondale.

"And to drive away at that," Murray said. "You didn't even try to see if she was okay."

Dig deeper:

The driver of the pickup truck initially fled the scene but was later located at a nearby gas station and taken into custody.

Gadi was ultimately determined to be operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Initial tests indicated Gadi's blood alcohol level was .219 and was also positive for THC, according to DPS troopers.

Gadi said he was driving from his house, where he was drinking alcohol and celebrating his girlfriend's birthday, to his mom's house. He admitted he drank several beverages, including beer and tequila.

According to court records, multiple witnesses reported that the defendant was going in and out of traffic, was driving at a high rate of speed. Gadi also was recently convicted six months ago for criminal speed, clocking 105 mph in the same location on the same stretch of highway.

"The impact was catastrophic to this family,' court officials said on Oct. 6.

Gadi faces a second-degree murder charge, along with aggravated assault and endangerment. The state is seeking a $500,000 cash-only bond. 

What they're saying:

Her mother spoke out exclusively—as her second daughter is still in the ICU.

"Stop being so selfish. My baby didn't deserve to die," said Areale Murray, the victim's mother, tearing up. "She passed away thinking about the fair. So that's what makes me get through this. Because my baby was happy when she died. She was happy when she died. And I hope he suffered. I hope he got what he deserved. Because that's not right."

The 2-year-old child is still in the ICU at Phoenix Children's Hospital with a fractured jaw and cracked skull but is expected to physically recover.

What you can do:

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family of the child that was killed. 

Map of the area where the crash happened