Glendale Hit-and-Run Suspect Surrenders to Police

April 8, 2021

GLENDALE, AZ – Police have arrested the man they believe is responsible for a fatal collision that sent a 50-year-old woman plummeting into a canal late last month.

AZ Family reports that Rudy A. Valdez Herrera, 23, surrendered himself to police yesterday, and has been charged with failure to remain on scene of a fatal accident, a felony.

The incident in question happened at approximately 1 a.m. on March 30, when Valdez Herrera ran a red light at Maryland Avenue and 99th Avenue, striking a pickup truck and sending it tumbling into a nearby canal. The pickup’s driver, 50-year-old Leauna Christensen, was killed in the collision.

Witnesses told police that they saw Valdez Herrera walk away from the crash shortly afterwards.

Police initially arrested Valdez Herrera at his home later that day, after they found his wallet at the scene. However, as he was being processed, Valdez Herrera told them that he had been injured in the crash, and he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. This caused police to miss the 24-hour window during which they could bring a charge before a judge, and they were forced to release Valdez Herrera.

After receiving further legal advice from his defense attorney, Valdez Herrera turned himself in yesterday.

Prosecutors are considering filing additional charges against him but have not said what they might be.

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