On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, shortly after 5 a.m., troopers with the AZDPS Aviation Bureau assisted Highway Patrol District 6 troopers in tracking and stopping a motorcyclist who was repeatedly observed traveling at extremely high speeds on Interstate 10 in the Casa Grande area. The motorcyclist’s persistent, reckless driving behavior posed a serious threat not only to his own safety, but to other motorists and first responders.

The Ranger 1 helicopter crew began following the motorcyclist as he traveled eastbound on Florence Boulevard in Casa Grande. The suspect was observed speeding and illegally passing vehicles on the shoulder before entering Interstate 10 westbound at milepost 194.

Once on the interstate, Ranger 1 crew members observed the suspect traveling at speeds in excess of 150 mph and relayed his speed and location to troopers on the ground. Troopers positioned ahead of the motorcyclist on Interstate 10 were able to locate and initiate a traffic stop on the suspect near milepost 190. The suspect, 34-year-old Kevin Keeton, of Casa Grande, came to a stop and was detained by troopers. Keeton was booked into the Pinal County Jail on a charge of criminal speed, and the motorcycle was impounded for 20 days for reckless driving.

Great work to our troopers, Ranger 1 crew, and dispatchers in getting this reckless driver off the road. 

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, at approximately 7:40 p.m., a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Task Force (CVETF) trooper initiated a stop on the driver of a tractor-trailer on northbound Interstate 19 near kilometer 42, in Sahuarita.

While conducting a routine commercial vehicle inspection, the trooper noted multiple indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent vehicle search revealed 14 people locked inside the unrefrigerated trailer with a single bottle of water. The occupants were removed from the trailer and received medical attention before being turned over to United States Border Patrol personnel.

Temperatures in enclosed trailers can be up to 30 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature. The high in Sahuarita on May 25th was approximately 95 degrees, putting the trailer’s occupants at serious risk of heat-related illness.

While searching the cab of the vehicle, the trooper also discovered approximately 14.25 pounds of fentanyl powder and 12.55 pounds of cocaine.

The truck driver, 30-year-old Eduardo A. Hernandez, from Nogales, AZ, was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz* County Jail. He faces charges including possession and transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, possession and transportation of a dangerous drug for sale, and 14 counts of endangerment.

The CVETF is comprised of AZDPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau troopers and Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officers. The mission of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Task Force is to ensure safe, secure, and efficient commercial transport across Arizona.

*Correction: A previous version of this news release indicated the suspect was booked into Pima County Jail, however, the suspect was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.