COOLIDGE, AZ — A school bus hit-and-run on AZ-87 ended in a DUI arrest after a dramatic pursuit near Signal Peak Road. On February 28, 2026, the driver of a passenger vehicle attempted to pass a school bus on the passenger side, using the dirt shoulder. He lost control and struck the side of the bus. The crash damaged both vehicles.
The bus was carrying the Bagdad High School baseball team. They were traveling to Florence for a game.
After the crash, the suspect immediately fled the scene. However, a family member following the school bus pursued the fleeing driver. That pursuit helped law enforcement track down the suspect’s vehicle. Local police subsequently located it and secured the scene.
Troopers on scene quickly assessed the suspect’s condition. They determined he was impaired by both alcohol and drugs. Additionally, he later admitted to consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel. As a result, troopers transported him to a nearby medical facility for evaluation. Once cleared, he was taken directly to Pinal County Jail.
Authorities booked the suspect on three charges: reckless driving, DUI, and leaving the scene of a collision. The school bus hit-and-run on AZ-87 drew a swift response from both witnesses and law enforcement.
