Mayah Telles Killed in Glendale Hit-and-Run Accident
Oscar Octavio Zavala-Salazar arrested after 25-year-old struck by three vehicles
Mayah Telles, 25, was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident at the corner of U.S. Route 60 and Myrtle Avenue in Glendale, Arizona, early Monday, according to the Glendale Police Department.
Oscar Octavio Zavala-Salazar, 47, was arrested and booked into jail on felony hit-and-run charges in connection with the death. Video evidence showed the woman was struck by a vehicle in the intersection and then hit by two additional vehicles.
None of the three drivers remained at the scene.
Officers found the victim unresponsive in the road at approximately 4 a.m. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators are working to determine if the drivers of the second and third vehicles were aware they struck someone. The crash remains under investigation.
How does a felony arrest impact the investigation on Grand Avenue?
The arrest of a suspect on felony charges marks a critical step in the criminal justice process, but it is only one facet of the aftermath for grieving families. While police pursue criminal accountability for the driver who fled the corner of U.S. Route 60 and Myrtle Avenue, parallel civil investigations often begin immediately.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In fatal hit-and-run accidents, the criminal proceedings focus on penalizing the at-fault driver for fleeing, while a concurrent civil claim allows the family to seek restitution for their profound loss. Securing evidence from the criminal investigation is vital for the civil case."
What happens when multiple vehicles strike a pedestrian?
Investigators are still searching for the two additional drivers who struck the victim and left the scene. Identifying all involved parties is important, as each driver who failed to render aid may bear liability. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads, with death steadily rising in recent years.
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, added that "Pedestrian accident cases involving multiple vehicles require meticulous reconstruction to determine the sequence of impacts and apportion liability. Every driver who flees a scene complicates the recovery process, making independent investigations essential to uncover the truth."
Under Arizona law, drivers are required to stop and render aid when involved in a collision. The failure to do so not only triggers criminal charges but also strengthens the foundation for civil litigation against the fleeing drivers.
Arizona wrongful death claims
In these civil actions, eligible beneficiaries may recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred prior to death, and the loss of financial support and companionship. Arizona law generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, making timely evidence preservation critical.