A suspected drunk driver in a Chevrolet pickup truck struck multiple vehicles and pedestrians on April 3 during the first night of Cave Creek Bike Week on Cave Creek Road near Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, officials said. The driver was traveling the wrong way at an estimated 45 mph when the crash occurred, injuring several people, including two with life-threatening injuries, according to Maricopa County authorities.
The Chevrolet C10 pickup truck, driven by a suspected intoxicated motorist, exited the parking lot of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral and proceeded the wrong way on Cave Creek Road at an estimated speed of 45 mph before striking a stopped GMC truck, eight parked motorcycles, and three pedestrians, according to Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies and witness accounts. Luke Hurst, a bystander, described seeing the vehicle approach head-on at high speed, saying, The crash occurred on the evening of April 3, the first night of the annual Cave Creek Bike Week festivities.
“I looked in front of me and I saw the C10 coming head on at me at what looked like to me 45 mph.”
Authorities confirmed that two of the pedestrians involved sustained life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while a third victim, identified as another driver involved in the incident, suffered a mild concussion. Several others were also hospitalized following the crash, officials said. Bystanders at the scene provided immediate assistance to the injured before emergency responders arrived, according to Tim Yarosh, a vendor at the event who witnessed the incident. “It was horrible with the initial crash… qualified citizens jumped in and took care of the injured,” Yarosh said.
The chaotic scene unfolded near the entrance to Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, a popular venue during the week-long Bike Week event. The driver’s reckless operation resulted in the destruction or heavy damage of eight motorcycles lined up along a fence. Citizens at the scene detained the suspect after the crash, preventing further harm, Maricopa County authorities confirmed. Deputies are investigating the incident as a suspected DUI case, with the driver currently in custody.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies responded promptly to multiple reports of the accident and injuries near Harold’s Cave Creek Corral. They confirmed the details of the crash and the severity of the injuries in statements to local media. FOX 10 Phoenix reporter Megan Spector covered the event and interviewed witnesses, while AZ Family reporter Austin Walker detailed the reckless exit from the parking lot and the wrong-way driving that precipitated the crash.
Witnesses described the moments following the collision as “horrific,” recalling the driver slamming into vehicles and pedestrians amid the Bike Week festivities. Bystanders noted the intense chaos as emergency personnel and citizens worked together to assist the injured. The event, which draws large crowds to Cave Creek Road, was disrupted by the incident, with the first night of Bike Week overshadowed by the crash and its aftermath.
Cave Creek Bike Week is an annual event featuring motorcycle rides, vendors, and gatherings that attract enthusiasts from the region. The crash occurred during the opening night near the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, a central location for the festivities. The incident has prompted increased scrutiny of safety measures during the event, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspected drunk driving.
Maricopa County officials have not released the identity of the driver pending further investigation. The two victims with life-threatening injuries remain hospitalized, according to the latest reports. Deputies are reviewing witness statements and available evidence as part of their ongoing inquiry into the crash.
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