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Tragic Loss: Arizona Senate Candidate Killed in Collision
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona political landscape mourns the loss of John McLean, a Democratic candidate for the state Senate, who tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident early Friday morning. This incident occurred just one day after he conceded the election to his Republican opponent.
McLean, aged 68, was driving his Toyota RAV4 in Tucson around 6 a.m. when his vehicle was struck by a Ford Explorer. The Tucson Police Department reported that the Explorer failed to obey a stop sign, colliding with McLean’s vehicle at a significant speed as it entered the intersection.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, identified as 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel, sustained minor injuries and was subsequently arrested. Creel faces serious charges, including manslaughter and aggravated driving under the influence, and is currently in custody at Pima County Jail.
As the investigation continues, efforts to locate legal representation for Creel yielded no immediate results. The Associated Press reached out to the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, but as of late Friday, no response had been received.
The Pima County Democratic Party expressed their sorrow, releasing a statement highlighting McLean’s commitment to public service. “We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic death of John McLean,” they stated. “As a third generation Arizonan, he has long served Tucson and was a leader in Pima County even before he stepped up to run for the Arizona State Senate.”
His opponent in the recent election, Vince Leach, offered condolences to McLean’s family, acknowledging him as “a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate.”
Although the Associated Press had not yet declared a winner in the race due to the timing, McLean had conceded on Thursday through a Facebook post, stating, “It has been an honor and a privilege to run as the Democratic candidate for the LD17 Senate seat.” He reflected on the challenges of the campaign, saying, “While the outcome isn’t what we hoped for, I am proud of the work that so many people put into our campaign.”
Outgoing GOP Senator Justine Wadsack also extended her sympathies, emphasizing McLean’s deep ties to the Tucson community. “John was a graduate of the University of Arizona, a retired Tucson business owner, and a regular volunteer with the Humane Society. This is a travesty in every way,” she stated.
Source
abcnews.go.com