A Chandler man is facing second-degree murder charges after prosecutors say he intentionally used his SUV as a weapon during a road rage confrontation, striking a motorcyclist who later died — all while driving drunk and high with two children in the vehicle.
Gustavo Gavia Elias, 29, was indicted in connection with the March 18th crash near Ray and Alma School roads, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. In addition to the murder charge, he faces two counts of child abuse and two counts of aggravated DUI.
According to court documents, Elias and the motorcyclist had an existing conflict — the two lived in the same apartment complex, and Elias told police the rider regularly sped through their shared parking lot with his engine revving. The confrontation on March 18th escalated on the road, with the two juvenile passengers telling investigators that both drivers had been aggressive with each other before the motorcyclist pulled up alongside the vehicle and struck it with his hand, possibly breaking the side mirror.
What followed was fatal. Prosecutors allege Elias deliberately steered his SUV into the motorcycle.
Elias also reportedly told a sergeant that before driving the children to a friend’s house for a sleepover that evening, he had consumed approximately 12 beers and used cocaine. The victim, whose name has not been released, died from internal decapitation.
The Arizona Department of Child Safety was notified following the arrest. Elias remains in custody pending further proceedings.