Arizona state Senate candidate John McLean killed in suspected DUI crash: 'True public servant'

A Democratic campaigner for a spot successful the Arizona Senate was killed successful an aboriginal greeting DUI clang in Tucson connected Friday, constabulary confirmed.

John McLean, 68, died aft Michael Martin Creel, 27, allegedly ran a halt motion and struck his vehicle, according to the Tucson Police Department. Creel is being held astatine the Pima County Jail connected manslaughter and aggravated DUI charges.

McLean died astatine the scene, and constabulary determined that velocity and impairment were known factors successful the fatal crash.

According to tribunal documents obtained by section outlet 13 News, Creel had a DUI lawsuit against him dismissed successful December 2023.

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Police confirmed John McLean, a Democratic campaigner for Arizona's authorities Senate, was killed successful an aboriginal greeting clang by a suspected drunk operator successful Tucson. (John McLean For LD17 Facebook)

The Arizona Senate Democrats besides confirmed McLean's passing. 

"We are heartbroken to perceive astir the passing of LD17 Senate Candidate John McLean. He spent his last days warring for a amended Arizona and we could not beryllium much thankful for his enactment and dedication to our large state," the radical posted successful a connection connected X. "We widen our deepest sympathies to John’s household and loved ones."

McLean was moving against Republican Vince Leach for the District 17 spot in the Arizona Senate. Leach besides released a connection and sent his condolences to McLean's household and friends.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean household for their tragic nonaccomplishment today," Leach said. "John was a bully antheral who conducted himself honorably arsenic a candidate. My deepest condolences spell retired to John’s household and friends successful this astir hard time."

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Leach was starring McLean by much than 3,000 votes when predetermination results were announced connected Friday afternoon. McLean, who was moving for bureau for the archetypal time, had conceded the contention little than 24 hours earlier the crash.

"It has been an grant and a privilege to tally arsenic the Democratic campaigner for the LD17 Senate seat. While the result isn’t what we hoped for, I americium arrogant of the enactment that truthful galore radical enactment into our campaign," McLean wrote successful portion connected his run Facebook page.

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State Sen. Mitzi Epstein offered her condolences successful a connection aft saying she had conscionable spoken to McLean connected Monday.

"I conscionable spoke with John Monday this week. His optimism astir Arizonans ne'er wavered. He stepped up to bash a unpaid occupation that required agelong hours each day, and helium brought a grin and thoughtful words to each door. My bosom is with his family," Epstein wrote successful a station connected X.

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Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs besides paid tribute to McLean and said helium was a "true nationalist servant," calling his decease a "tragic loss." 

"John was a existent nationalist servant who cared profoundly astir Arizona. He ever wanted to bash what was champion for his community, and helium volition beryllium remembered for that. This is simply a tragic loss, and my bosom breaks for his household and loved ones. Sending each my emotion to those who knew him," Hobbs wrote successful a station connected X. 

Police said that the probe into the fatal crash is ongoing. 

Stepheny Price is simply a writer for Fox News Digital.