San Tan: 16-year-old dies after being found injured in the road from vehicular injury

The Sheriff's Office says there is evidence the teenager was hit by a car and he could have other injuries that are also being investigated.

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — A 16-year-old has died in San Tan Valley, after being found on the street with life-threatening injuries, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

At around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies received a call about a welfare check on Murray Grey Drive near Empire Boulevard and Gary Road.

When deputies arrived, they located the teen on the road with serious injuries.

He was airlifted to a Valley hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to PCSO, but the Sheriff's Office confirmed to ABC15 Friday night that the teenager had died.

Authorities say there is evidence that suggests he was hit by a car and could have had other injuries that are also being investigated.

Detectives took three juvenile males into custody for questioning. They were later released pending further investigation.

Officials say all of the males knew each other.

Tarah Rossi made the initial 911 call.

Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, she says she noticed a car on the quiet street near her San Tan Valley home.

"I saw a car on, with its headlights on, parked in front of the house, and I could hear them going back and forth about something," Rossi said.

As she was heading inside, she didn't see anything, but Rossi says she heard a loud noise.

"They took off, they screeched really loud when they took off," Rossie said. "And then I heard the loudest crash."

The noise prompted her to go back outside.

"They drove down the street really fast, and I saw their brake lights, and they took the corner," she said.

Then, Rossi realized there was a person lying in the street.

"He seemed completely unconscious," she said.

Rossi says when she called 911, Pinal County Sheriff's Deputies arrived in minutes.

"Fire trucks came, I saw a helicopter flying overhead," neighbor Tom Kessler said.

Kessler says the area was taped off and filled with emergency responders.

"I could just see a person laying on their back, and officers were pumping the person’s chest," he said.

Neighbors say the boy was taken away by ambulance, before he was medevaced to a hospital, according to the Sheriff's Office.

PCSO says right now there is not evidence to make any arrests.

"It’s a horrible tragedy," Catherine Kessler, Kessler's wife, said.

"Pray for the family," Tom Kessler added.

As the investigation into what exactly happened to the 16-year-old continues, neighbors have him, and his loved ones, in their thoughts.

"I just feel awful for his family," Rossi said. "I can’t imagine how his mom feels. That’s just the instant thought last night, I can't imagine the call his mom is going to get."

If anybody has any other information contact the Pinal County Sheriff's Office at 520-866-5111 and ask for Detective Ramon Gonzalez.