Pinal County Attorney Announces Murder Conviction for Repetitive DUI Offender: Defendant Left Scene of Brutal Collision Where Victim was Left to Die
News source: Pinal County Attorney’s Office
FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced today that on September 24, 2025, a Pinal County jury convicted Joel Stephan Goble (8/11/1985), of Second Degree Murder, a Class 2 Felony and Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Collision, a Class 2 Felony, when he drove directly into a motorcyclist on the US60 and dragged the motorcyclist’s body a quarter mile before fleeing the scene.
The conviction stems from an October 5, 2024, collision wherein, after hours of drinking at multiple locations, the defendant drove his truck over 100 miles per hour on the US 60 in Apache Junction directly into Darrel Evans who was riding his motorcycle home. The defendant’s truck hit the motorcycle with such force that the bike and rider were pinned into the grill of the truck and pushed for over four thousand feet until Goble exited the freeway at Idaho Road and came to a stop. The friction from being pushed at such a distance caused the bike to catch fire as it was pushed down the road.
Surveillance video shows the defendant getting out of his truck, and attempting to dislodge the burning bike and severely injured rider before fleeing the scene and leaving the burning bike and bleeding rider behind. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers observed Goble’s truck dragging the burning bike and immediately stopped him as he attempted to flee. Goble’s blood was drawn several hours after the collision and was found to be a .132 BAC. The victim succumbed to the injuries sustained.
Prosecutor Stephen Bridger said, “This case highlights the importance of holding repeat DUI offenders accountable. This defendant had multiple prior DUI convictions, and even had warrants for his arrest stemming from yet another DUI just prior to this collision.”
“This was not an accident — this was a preventable tragedy fueled by reckless choices and repeated disregard for the law,” said County Attorney Miller. “The defendant’s history of impaired driving, combined with his callous decision to flee while a man lay dying on the roadway, shows the very worst kind of danger to our community. The conviction delivers justice for the victim and his loved ones, and it sends a clear message: Pinal County will not tolerate repeat offenders who choose to endanger innocent lives.”
The defendant was sentenced to 22 years in the Department of Corrections for Second Degree Murder and 7 years probation for Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Collision today by Judge Fuller in Pinal County Superior Court. The Pinal County Attorney’s Office asked for the maximum sentence allowable under the law which was 37.5 years. Further, prosecutor Stephen Bridger argued the defendant was a terrible candidate for probation citing his several prior DUI convictions and recent arrest for which he was on warrant status.
“Nothing can undo the loss suffered by the victim’s family, but we hope this verdict and sentencing provides some measure of accountability and peace,” said Miller. “Our office remains committed to fighting for victims and ensuring dangerous offenders are held fully responsible for their actions.”
This case was investigated by members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Vehicular Crimes Unit with assistance from the Apache Junction Police Department.
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to prosecuting criminals, promoting justice, to ensure public safety throughout the county. Led by Brad Miller, a seasoned prosecutor with over 17 years of experience, the office is defined by its commitment to integrity and excellence. Brad Miller brings a distinguished record of public service to the role, including his tenure as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Bureau of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and his service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. With a staff of over 180 professionals, the office prosecutes more than 2,500 felonies and 1,000 misdemeanors annually and provides over 25,000 services to crime victims, standing as the cornerstone of justice for Pinal County.
