AZ - Michael Clark, 46, motorcyclist, struck and killed on US 60 freeway by Corvette going 155 mph, Rachel Berg, 18, arrested - Mesa, 12 Mar 2024

[ifindedout]

Woman driving 155 mph before deadly motorcycle crash on US 60 in Mesa, docs say

Rachel Nicole Berg, 18, was booked on one count of reckless manslaughter.

www.azfamily.com

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — An 18-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a deadly motorcycle crash that happened on a Mesa highway earlier this month. Investigators believe 18-year-old Rachel Nicole Berg was driving over 150 miles per hour before the collision that killed 46-year-old Michael Clark.

[...]

According to court documents, investigators were granted a warrant the next day to download information from the Corvette’s airbag control module. The data showed the Corvette was traveling at a speed of 155 mph five seconds before the crash and 87 miles per hour at the time of the collision with Clark’s motorcycle.

Earlier story

DPS: Speeding Corvette driver rear-ended motorcyclist on US 60 in Mesa

According to DPS troopers, the collision happened on the US 60 near Dobson Road around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

www.azfamily.com

According to DPS troopers, the crash happened on the US 60 eastbound near Dobson Road around 11 p.m. Authorities say an 18-year-old was speeding in a 2024 Chevy Corvette when she spotted a motorcyclist, later identified as 46-year-old Michael Clark, in the HOV lane ahead of her. The girl attempted to stop, but rear-ended Clark.

Troopers say Clark struck the concrete wall and fell off his bike. The Corvette driver pulled over and attempted to perform CPR on Clark, but he died from his injuries.

 

[worm]

This is every bit as bad as driving while on booze or drugs.

 

[BrownRice]

This is every bit as bad as driving while on booze or drugs.

And what is an 18 yo doing behind the wheel of a ‘24 corvette?

 

[MAHBOOBOO]

As a teenage girl who was allowed to buy a 14 second car which I then turned into an 11 second car (after I, of course, totaled it b/c apparently RWD vehicles don't turn on a dime like professional drivers make them do in movies)... giving an 18-year-old girl a C8 was an extremely terrible decision.

An 18-year-old just doesn't have enough emotional maturity or the driving skills yet to make good decisions with a machine with that much power, unless they're like one of the Enders sisters and have been raised to respect and handle cars like that all their life and they likely no longer feel the need to show off.

My prayers are with the Clark family. And while I'm sure the girl feels terrible NOW, I do think legal justice in this case would be best.

 

[worm]

As a teenage girl who was allowed to buy a 14 second car which I then turned into an 11 second car (after I, of course, totaled it b/c apparently RWD vehicles don't turn on a dime like professional drivers make them do in movies)... giving an 18-year-old girl a C8 was an extremely terrible decision.

An 18-year-old just doesn't have enough emotional maturity or the driving skills yet to make good decisions with a machine with that much power, unless they're like one of the Enders sisters and have been raised to respect and handle cars like that all their life.

My prayers are with the Clark family. And while I'm sure the girl feels terrible NOW, I do think legal justice in this case would be best.

I couldn’t keep a Honda CRX between the ditches as a teen.

 

[Eli9]

Manslaughter Penalties in Arizona​

Arizona Manslaughter Sentencing & Laws | ARS 13-1103

Learn about Manslaughter Penalties & Laws in Arizona and how our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys can help if you're facing ARS 13-1103 charges.

www.jacksonwhitelaw.com

A.R.S. 13-1103 states that manslaughter is a class 2 felony. There are many factors that influence Arizona manslaughter sentencing guidelines, including prior felonies, and whether or not the manslaughter charge is considered a dangerous offense, which occurs if a deadly weapon was used during the incident.


A.R.S. 13-702(D) outlines the following prison sentences for class 2 felonies if they are not considered dangerous offenses and the offender has no previous felony convictions:

• Mitigated sentence: 3 years
• Minimum sentence: 4 years
• Presumptive sentence: 5 years
• Maximum sentence: 10 years
• Aggravated sentence: 12.5 years

For offenders who have prior felonies, or if it’s ruled that the manslaughter was a dangerous offense, then the sentencing can go well beyond 12.5 years in prison. A manslaughter sentence can also include probation, jail time, and/or fines and surcharges.

 

[mickey2942]

And what is an 18 yo doing behind the wheel of a ‘24 corvette?

Things like this, I really wish parents could also be charged. If they bought that car for her.

 

[Rikissa]

An interview with the motorcyclist's wife:

Mesa woman remembers husband killed by driver allegedly going 155 mph, wants justice

"He loved being a father to his kids and he was an amazing husband.”

www.azfamily.com