A Phoenix man will spend the next 16 years behind bars after a high-speed, alcohol-related crash claimed the life of a motorcyclist on Interstate 10.
Andrew Ramirez Perez, 23, was sentenced earlier this month after admitting guilt to second-degree murder, a charge applied in cases where a person’s actions show extreme disregard for human life. The ruling follows a deadly September 2024 crash that prosecutors say was entirely preventable.
According to investigators, Perez was driving at speeds reaching 125 miles per hour in the HOV lane of eastbound I-10 during the early morning hours when the crash occurred. Authorities reported he had been weaving through traffic near the Loop 202 South Mountain interchange before slamming into a motorcycle from behind.
The collision quickly turned catastrophic. Both vehicles burst into flames, leaving the motorcyclist, 42-year-old Craig Cooper, with fatal injuries. Cooper is survived by his wife and two young children.
Evidence gathered at the scene pointed to alcohol as a major factor. Troopers discovered an open container inside Perez’s vehicle, and subsequent testing showed his blood-alcohol concentration was nearly double the legal limit.
In a statement following the sentencing, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell acknowledged the profound loss felt by the victim’s family, noting that no legal outcome can undo the tragedy. Still, she emphasized the importance of holding reckless behavior accountable.
The sentence was formally issued on April 3 by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge, closing a case that underscores the deadly consequences of impaired and dangerous driving.
