Globe Miami Times Connecting you to the Pulse of Globe Miami
Jaeden Matthew Spurgeon’s fast Monday evening ride started with a domestic violence call and ended with the death of an innocent woman.
He faces charges of second-degree murder, as well as kidnapping, aggravated assault on a peace officer, unlawful flight from a peace officer, domestic violence/assault, domestic violence/threats and unlawful use of means of transportation.
Globe Police responded to a domestic violence call at the Gila County Fairgrounds at 8:30 p.m. Monday night. Spurgeon, 18, of Globe had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and left with her car, according to Globe Police.
He was located about an hour later near Dave’s Fast Stop in Globe, and as police approached the car, Spurgeon accelerated. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
Spurgeon drove at speeds in excess of 90 mph toward Miami, according to the police report. Miami and Superior Police pursued the suspect as he passed through their jurisdictions.
Globe Police were notified that Spurgeon caused a head-on accident at milepost 216 on eastbound Hwy. 60 that killed an innocent woman and injured another man. Pinal County deputies located the scene of the crash less than 10 miles from where Superior and Miami Police ended their pursuit.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety news release, Spurgeon appears to have driven westbound in the eastbound lane of Hwy. 60 and struck two other vehicles. The woman in the first vehicle was killed, and her passenger was airlifted to Chandler Regional Medical Center. The driver of the other car that was hit was evaluated at the scene but refused medical treatment. Spurgeon has also been hospitalized.
Officers from Globe responded to the scene to assist the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The crash closed Hwy. 60 for hours at Florence Junction, which is just past the Arizona Renaissance Festival near Gold Canyon.
The investigation is ongoing, and this story will be updated as details become available.
Aimee Staten has worn several hats over the last few years, but she recently put on one of her more familiar caps after four years of working in nonprofits: That of a journalist. She has 14 years of experience in the news business as a reporter with eight of those years as the managing editor of the Eastern Arizona Courier.
