A southern Arizona man is facing criminal charges after investigators say he drove away and never reported an incident in which a passenger fell from the bed of his pickup truck and died — a case that went unsolved for six months before detectives caught up with him.
Jack Crawford, 52, was taken into custody on March 9th in Patagonia, a small community roughly 170 miles southeast of Phoenix, on a charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident involving death. He was arrested without incident.
The incident occurred on September 7th, 2025, along State Route 77 near Golder Ranch Road in Catalina. Michael Stewart, 37, was riding in the bed of Crawford’s pickup when he fell from the vehicle. Crawford allegedly did not stop, did not attempt to help Stewart and never contacted law enforcement to report what had happened. Stewart was later found in the roadway by passing motorists, already fatally injured.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Vehicular Crimes Unit took over the investigation and spent months piecing together evidence that ultimately led them to Crawford. DPS credited the persistence and thoroughness of its detectives in bringing the case to a resolution, noting that their work helps provide answers to the families of victims and holds those responsible accountable.
Crawford has not yet been indicted. The case will now move through the court system as prosecutors determine next steps.
