Why did a Lexus fly off the road in Glendale? Was alcohol involved?
GLENDALE (WITI) -- Why did a Lexus fly off the road in Glendale last Friday night? FOX6 News has uncovered new details in a horrific crash that killed three people near 24th and Silver Spring Drive on Friday, August 8th.
The crash killed 48-year-old James Taddey, 47-year-old Davonna Wilson and 19-year-old Koterri Riley (Wilson's daughter).
The Medical Examiner's Office has determined the cause of death for all three individuals. Taddey died as a result of blunt force injuries to the chest. Wilson died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries -- and Riley died as a result of blunt force injuries to the head.
The deaths have been ruled accidental.
The Medical Examiner's Office says Taddey was driving at the time of the crash. Wilson and Riley were passengers in the vehicle (Wilson in the front seat, and Riley in a back seat).
The crash occurred on Friday night, shortly after 8:00 p.m. near 24th and Silver Spring Drive in Glendale.
According to the Medical Examiner's report, the vehicle had been traveling eastbound on W. Silver Spring Drive when another vehicle made a right turn onto Silver Spring from N. Bethmaur Avenue.
The Medical Examiner's report says the vehicle Taddey, Wilson and Riley were in was traveling at a high rate of speed. That vehicle attempted to serve when Taddey apparently assumed the second vehicle might move into his lane.
That's when the Medical Examiner's report says Taddey lost control -- striking a tree and a light pole, and a "Welcome to Glendale" sign.
The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest near 24th and Silver Spring.
Glendale police have now released pictures of the crash scene to FOX6 News. The photos, and the accident report that accompanies them may hold the answer to what happened.
The big question that remains: Why did the car swerve off the road?
A family member told investigators Taddey, Wilson and Riley had left to grab a pizza.
Witness reports say a car pulled onto Sliver Spring -- and the Lexus, driven by Taddey, reacted as if it had been cut off -- even though it hadn't.
The accident report shows during an autopsy, a doctor told a detective she could detect the odor of alcohol on Taddey -- but would need toxicology reports to determine if it's a factor in the crash.
The Medical Examiner's report says an investigator spoke with Taddey's brother -- who informed them he suffered from epileptic seizures described as "debilitating" and that he had a history of drug and alcohol abuse -- but he
had been sober for six to nine months. Taddey's brother told an investigator Taddey had recently enrolled in MATC in the culinary arts program.
It could take two to three months to get toxicology reports.
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