Police in Goodyear, Arizona USA report one woman was pronounced dead on scene and another male rider died at an area hospital after a truck towing a trailer drove into a large peloton out for an early Saturday morning group ride.

Initial 911 reports of a vehicle/bike crash came in around 08:00 indicating victims were strewn across the road with “very serious injuries,” some requiring life-saving CPR.

Multiple agencies automatically responded to the catastrophic scene including: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Goodyear Fire, Avondale Fire, Buckeye Fire, Glendale Police, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and Arizona Fire Medical. Ambulances transported eleven injured riders to various hospitals for emergency trauma care.

The weekly Saturday morning ride, organized by West Valley Cycle, is one of the oldest and largest group rides in greater Phoenix, averaging 75-130 riders on a 62-mile route.

Goodyear Police identified the deceased as local resident 61-year-old Karen Malisa and 65-year-old David Kero, who was visiting from Michigan. A GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial assistance for the family of the deceased and those injured.

Arrested at the scene of the tragedy was 26-year-old truck driver, Pedro Quintana-Lujan, who is facing a slew of charges including two counts of manslaughter, three charges of aggravated assault, 18 counts of endangerment, and two counts of causing serious injury or death by a moving violation. So far, police believe the crash was an accident and Quintana-Lujan did not intentionally hit the cyclists, although a judge ordered he post a $250,000 bond to be released from custody.

In recent years Arizona has become one of the most dangerous states for road cyclists, with numerous tragic crashes claiming the lives of riders.

Shawn Michael Chock intentionally crashed his truck into the race peloton at the 2021 Arizona State Championship Road Race, killing 58 year-old cyclist Jeremy Barrett who died from massive internal injuries and broken bones sustained in the catastrophic crash. 

29-year-old Joanna Wheaton was killed in Flagstaff in 2021 when a tow truck driver ran a red light and plowed into a group of riders on a training ride.

Debra Ceschin was killed by a hit-and-run driver while out for an early morning 20-mile training ride in the foothills of Phoenix, also in 2021.

Photos: Goodyear Fire Dept., Diamondback Security Cameras, Goodyear Police