Teen killed in crash; police say driver had been drinking

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A teen is dead, and his friend is behind bars after a late night accident in north Phoenix.

Police say the 19-year-old driver admitted to drinking before driving about twice the speed limit on Cave Creek Road.

The driver crashed into a car dealership at more than 80 miles per hour. The passenger was killed; the driver was able to walk away.

Surveillance video captured the moment the driver lost control and smashed into cars on the dealership lot, finally stopping just past the intersection of Cave Creek and Mountain View.

At the dealership, it was clean-up, the owner of Prime Auto Sales says the crash damaged about five cars, one of them was totalled.

"Overall cost we're looking at $60,000, but the sad thing here is the death of the kid, the cars can be fixed, the loss of a young kid that is what is really depressing here today," said Daniel Rojas.

Police say 19-year-old Jose Perez was ejected from the car and later died. The driver, Salvador Diaz was able to walk away from the crash and was found by police hiding in some bushes not far from the crash scene.

According to court documents Diaz blew a .165, more than twice the legal limit. Police say he admitted to having 6-7 beers before getting behind the wheel of his car, and driving more than 80 mph in a 45 mph zone.

At the scene of the crash, staffers helped set up a memorial to the 19-year-old victim.

"We'd like to do what we can to help the family through this sad time. If we can decorate it and give them a place to mourn, I am more than happy to set that up for them," said Rojas.

The dealership has offered to donate to the victim's family, $100 of every car sold from now till the end of October.

The driver, Salvador Diaz was booked into jail on charges of manslaughter.