Illegal immigrant arrested in deadly motorcycle hit-and-run from December

MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ - Authorities have arrested an individual for his connection to a deadly hit-and-run accident that took place in December 2023. 

According to reports, 28-year-old Andres Guerrero Talamantes has been identified as the suspect who struck motorcyclist David Hadrich, 27, and left him for dead. The incident took place on December 10, 2023, around 1:00 p.m. near Pima and Cave Creek Roads. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Months later, on February 9, 2024, deputies with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said that they received a tip from an anonymous caller who said that the possible vehicle involved in the deadly incident was a white 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD. The truck was found at a storage yard in Glendale, Arizona. 

Talamantes is an 'undocumented' illegal migrant and does not have a driving license, according to Arizona Family.

In a statement, MCSO said, "Vehicular Crimes Detectives conducted follow up at the storage yard, ultimately seizing the vehicle as evidence. The recovered evidence and vehicle were processed." The investigation after that led detectives to Talamantes. 

Less than a month later, on March 1st, authorities found and arrested Talamantes without incident. He was booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run charges involving death. His bond was set at $150,250. According to MCSO, Talamantes admitted to using drugs and that he was high on drugs at the time of the crash.

With the arrest, Hadrich's family says they feel at peace knowing that the man police believe is responsible for the death of their loved one is behind bars. Even so, they know that nothing will bring their son back and so they hope to spread the message of how important it is to be attentive when behind the wheel.

The family has been trying to process the untimely death while never giving up on the search for who committed this awful crime. The family said in a statement, "Dave's never coming home. I mean, we're always going to have that heartbreak of David being gone. But, at least the person that did this is going to be held responsible. It took a long time. At times we're kind of wondering if this day was ever going to come, but we just kept plugging away."

With the arrest of Talamantes, the family has some closure, but that does not change their heartache. The family said, "You think, well once he gets caught, it'll get easier. And it doesn't because you realize, 'Ok, he's caught. He's in jail.' David is still gone. David still died a horrible death and he's not coming back."

In memory of David, the family is in the process of adopting the road where he lost his life. They hope to keep his legacy alive by doing what they can to keep others from facing the same tragedy. The family said, "We're trying to get a roundabout put in so that no one else will run that stop sign. Because being up there a few times, we've watched people just go right on through because they're just simply not paying attention."