Arizona State Senate candidate killed by suspected drunk driver

A Democratic candidate for the Arizona State Senate has been killed in a suspected DUI crash in Arizona.

John McLean, 68, was driving a Toyota RAV4 in his hometown of Tucson on the morning of Friday, Nov. 15, when he was struck and killed by an allegedly drunk driver as they drove through a stop sign at an intersection, Tucson Police said. Department confirmed, per Associated Press, Fox News and CBS affiliate KOLD.

Police confirmed that an incident took place on Friday in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Traffic detectives are investigating a fatal collision this morning involving two vehicles at E. Broadway Blvd. & N. Ridgeside Dr. Expect delays in the area. One person was pronounced dead at the scene,” they wrote.

The tragic incident occurred one day after McLean conceded his run to his Republican opponent Vince Leach for the Arizona State Senate.

The driver who hit McLean has been identified as 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel, according to multiple reports. He was not seriously injured in the accident.

Creel was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated DUI and was sent to the Pima County Jail. His arrest comes after a DUI case against him was allegedly dismissed in December 2023, according to court documents obtained by KOLD.

PEOPLE has contacted the Tucson Police Department for further comment.

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The Pima County Democratic Party confirmed McLean’s death in a statement released on Facebook on Friday, writing that they were “devastated to hear of John McLean’s tragic death by a drunk driver this morning.”

“We got to know John on the campaign trail, but as a third-generation Arizonan, he has long served Tucson. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers for healing to John’s family and loved ones,” the party continued.

“John was a leader in Pima County even before he stepped up to improve our state and ran for the Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 17. John was an active outdoorsman and volunteer for many organizations. His advocacy and philanthropy in education, environmental sustainability and animal welfare was remarkable,” the statement concluded.

On Nov. 14, McLean conceded his state Senate race to rival Leach, 76, writing on Facebook: “It has been an honor and a privilege to run as the Democratic candidate for the LD17 Senate seat. Even though the outcome is not what we hoped for, I am proud of the work that so many people have put into our campaign.”

Leach described McLean as “a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate” and offered his condolences to his family, per AP.

Outgoing Republican Sen. Justine Wadsack also shared a statement with the AP, saying, “John was deeply rooted in the Tucson community, a graduate of the University of Arizona, a retired Tucson business owner and a regular volunteer at the Humane Society. This is a travesty in every way.”