Arizona State Senate Candidate John McLean Killed in DUI Crash

John McLean, a 68-year-old Democratic candidate for the Arizona state Senate, was tragically killed in a car crash in Tucson on Friday morning. The incident occurred just a day after McLean conceded the race to his Republican opponent, Vince Leach.

The crash happened at approximately 6 a.m. when a Ford Explorer, driven by 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck McLean’s Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed. According to the Tucson Police Department, speed and impairment were key factors in the crash.

Creel was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated driving under the influence. He was booked into Pima County Jail and faces severe penalties under Arizona’s stringent DUI laws. Notably, Creel had a previous DUI case dismissed in December 2023, raising questions about the judicial system’s role in preventing repeat offenders.

John McLean was a dedicated public servant and community advocate who ran for Legislative District 17. Despite his campaign not yielding victory, he earned respect across the political spectrum. The Pima County Democratic Party and other political figures, including Governor Katie Hobbs, have expressed heartfelt condolences and praised McLean’s unwavering commitment to public service.

The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from the community and has highlighted the dangers of impaired driving. The Tucson Police Department is continuing to investigate the crash to ensure justice for McLean’s family).