LD17 candidate John McLean killed in car accident

The Tucson Police Department confirmed Friday that a candidate running for state Senate died in a car crash.

A news release from the department said Democrat John McLean died in a collision with an impaired driver.

Tucson emergency services were called at 6 a.m. Friday to respond to the accident. McLean, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene.

McLean was running for Senate in Legislative District 17. He was following Republican Vinch Leach at the time of his death.

Police determined through interviews and roadway evidence that McLean was driving eastbound on Broadway Boulevard in a 2019 Toyota Rav4 at the time of the crash. The other driver, Michael Martin Creel, was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer and failed to stop at a posted stop sign, according to a police news release. Creel struck the passenger side of McLean’s vehicle at a speed police are still trying to determine

An officer determined that Creel, 27, was allegedly impaired at the time of the collision. Creel was jailed on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated drunken driving. He is currently being held in the Pima County Jail.

Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed their condolences after learning of McLean’s death, first reported by Arizona Daily Star.

Leach said McLean was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate.

“My deepest condolences go out to John’s family and friends during this most difficult time. As a third-generation Arizonan, the lives John positively touched during his lifetime are immeasurable, and we should all be so fortunate to do the same.”

Rep. Consuelo Hernandez, D-Tucson, said in a post on X that McLean was filled with so much hope for our future.”

“He was one of the few people who made it a point to greet all the volunteers, learn their names and thank each person. What a loss. My condolences to his family,” Hernandez wrote.

AX filings from Senate Democrats said the caucus was devastated to learn of McLean’s death.

“He spent his final days fighting for a better Arizona, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his work and dedication to our great state. We extend our deepest condolences to John’s family and loved ones,” Senate Democrats wrote in the post.