PHOENIX — The suspected impaired driver accused of causing a deadly crash involving a Valley bus was taken into custody Wednesday.
Griffin Kjar, 24, was booked into the Maricopa County jail and could be facing a charge of second-degree murder for the car crash reported on March 3 near 23rd Avenue and Happy Valley Road.
Kjar allegedly hit another vehicle and the two cars careened into an unoccupied Valley Metro bus. A pedestrian reportedly had to jump out of the way to avoid getting struck by the vehicles, records show.
The other driver, 23-year-old Leo Kelly, died at the scene of the crash.
Court records show Kjar was allegedly driving at 77 mph before the collision. The suspect's toxicology report indicated the presence of THC and his blood alcohol content was 0.093, records show.
Kelly's friends and family described him as a caring, compassionate person who had big dreams for himself.
"He was the life of the party," said Kaylynn Dawe, Kelly's girlfriend, back in March. "He tried to make everyone smile, he was the kindest soul a very old soul.
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