A 15-year-old boy was killed late Friday when he was thrown from the bed of a pickup truck as it careened off a road in north Scottsdale. Police later arrested the driver, Frank Poston, 36, of Phoenix, on suspicion of manslaughter, aggravated assault and endangerment after tests showed he had been drinking, authorities said. The boy’s name was not released.
Two other teens, 17 and 18 years old, were also injured in the crash, which happened about 10:15 p.m. at Cave Creek and Lone Mountain roads. Their names were also not released, but Scottsdale police said all were from Phoenix.
Scottsdale police spokesman officer Dave Pubins said the boy who was killed appeared to be an acquaintance of Poston’s somehow, but their exact relationship was unclear. Police kept the streets near the crash closed well into the morning while they investigated, but they were back open before 8 a.m. Saturday.
I want someone to please explain to me why it is Legal for someone to be riding in the bed of a pick up truck but you can get a ticket for not using a seatbelt inside the vehicle. Another Arizona double standard, senseless law.
You in a lot of trouble, boy!
I believe it is illegal to drive in the back of a pick up truck. JJ if you are right and it is not illegal then Arizona needs to pass a law saying it is. No one should be in a back of a pick up truck including a dog!
Pickup bed passengers is an exemption allowed due to the farming and indian communities. The justification is that often a pickup was the family’s only transport, amplified by the long miles traveled for simple daily purposes. This law was instigated back when a pickup was a 2-door single bench vehicle likely to never exceed 45 MPH, but now is defended as a “right” even in the face of a predominance of 4-door 6-seater pickups and 3rd-row 7-9 passenger SUVs cruising at 75-90 MPH.
Well since arizona has changed since the law, then i really think it should be amended.. but i’m sure that would bring out a whole ‘nother debate… it would be twisted as racial profiling since it would put all the landscapers in a bind….
however, just because something is legal, you have to face the facts that fatal accidents and rollovers are predominent in this state, and would you really want your kids riding in the bed of a truck??? some things just require a bit of common sense and responsibility.
i hope he gets what he deserves
the boy that died was my best friend
ill never be able to see him or talk to him ever
again because of this ignorant drunk driver
he took my world away
just because he decided
to get in that car and drive
drunk
Your map is out of wack! Your report says the accident happened at Cave Creek and Lone Mountain. The arrow shows a location miles from that intersection. Maybe your reporters don’t get around that area much?
PS. The intersection of Cave Creek and Lone Mountain is in Phoenix, not North Scottsdale!
rip<3 my best homie
that boy was my cousin, I agree that a law needs to be passed about passengers in the bed of pickup trucks, and I hope mr. poston gets put away for a long time, what in the world was he thinking driving drunk and speeding with my cousin in the bed of that truck.
the best friend one is probably someone stupid like tess.
all of you that dont know him,can stop saying it was franks fault it is but he wasnt like taking the boys against their will.
and timmy is happy and okay in heaven and everyone crying over it on these comments really has NO IDEA.
because he really meant the world too everyone
also “best friend”
if you were friends with tim you were friends with frank.
he wouldnt want you saying that mean stuff if he were here and if you are his best friend which i know your not cause i am you should KNOW that
To his bestfriend & Wayne Clark: I am very sorry for your loss. I do hope that the guy that was driving - intoxicated, pays for his crime, however, your friend was old enough to know the risks of riding not only in the bed of a pickup, but with a drunk behind the wheel. You need to accept the fact that a part of the responsibility was your friend’s. Its time we all start taking responsibility for our actions
i really hope that guy gets life sentence because he was my brother/best friend i told him everything and there was still one thing i needed to tell him now i cant because he died I love you and i will truly miss you
p.s. it really sux to find out at school
News flash kiddo’s: Your friend was probably drinking also, and he chose to ride in the back. What the hell is your friend doing hanging out with this old dude anyhow.
I read all your comments and to those who think that Timmy was at fault for being in the truck bed need to understand how hurtful you are being to those of us who knew and loved him. The reason that kids have parents until they are 18 is because they are not yet able to always make reasoned decisions. They are still learning how and depend on adults to guide them. When I first heard that Timmy was gone and how he died, I thought it was all teenagers involved. When I heard that an adult was responsible, I knew that Timmy had put his trust in this man. It was a bad decision for him to get in the bed of that truck, but even worse was the man who let him. Even adults don’t always know when someone has had too much to drink, so why should we blame Timmy for not being able to tell? Please remember that we adults have a greater responsibility to ensure our children’s safety. Timmy has paid for his error in judgment with his life and the adult involved needs to be held accountable.
some of the comments read were quite hurtful in many ways i have to agree.
tim was a friend of mine from church, a great kid
we will all miss and love him.
but you have to resect the fact that all kids are stupid when they are young and tim had to pay with loosing his life.
sometimes life isnt fair but it teaches us so many things.
as you can see many people knew him.
many schools are talking about it.
so in a way maybe God did this to teach us all a leson.
and i cant tell you the lesson because i myself dont know.
it was for a reason tho, and we need to accept that.
tim was loved dearly and we will miss him.
but hes not gone forever in so many ways.
keep his memory alive in your heart.
i love you tim, so dearly.
may God rest your soul.
<3333