(Tempe, AZ) Police arrested Nathaniel McKean, 23, in connection with the collision that occurred on McClintock Drive that severely injured musician Adan Alcala, 33.
On October 9, just after midnight, a Tempe officer saw a car traveling the wrong way and on the sidewalk along McClintock Drive, south of Broadway Road, police said. Investigators allege McKean struck Alcala while the musician was walking on the sidewalk. Alcala, known as “Niko Stixx,” plays drums for the Los Angeles-based group The Outlaw Mariachi and was visiting Arizona for performances.
Following the impact, Alcala suffered fractures to his arm, shoulder and spine, along with internal organ injuries. Investigators determined the driver continued south in the northbound lanes, returned to the southbound lanes and drove onto another sidewalk before crashing into a pole.
The pole impact knocked off a side mirror that helped police identify the vehicle as a Tesla Model 3. About an hour after the crash, a Tesla was reported abandoned roughly half a mile away. Police said the vehicle damage matched the recovered mirror.
Inside the car, investigators found McKean’s business cards and other identifying items, along with suspected evidence of inhalant use, authorities said. An October 19 anonymous tip and interviews with two witnesses provided further leads. Officers arrested McKean at his Scottsdale home on October 28, booking him on charges of aggravated assault causing serious injury and leaving an injury crash, with bond set at $150,000.
Analysis of the McClintock Drive Crash
Arizona Revised Statutes 28-661 requires drivers involved in an injury collision to stop immediately and remain until their identification and assistance duties are fulfilled. Stopping nearby also requires returning to the scene. Police allege the driver continued after striking Alcala and abandoned the Tesla elsewhere.
The recovered mirror gave investigators a physical link between the damaged car and its reported route after impact. Police also cited surveillance footage and witness interviews in identifying McKean. The suspected inhalant evidence remains an investigative allegation.
What the Family Can Do
With an arrest made in the McClintock Drive crash, request a victim-services contact through Tempe police or the prosecutor handling the case so you can receive court updates. Keep documentation of Alcala’s surgeries and related expenses as treatment continues. Those records can help describe the financial impact when discussing restitution or a separate civil claim with a qualified attorney.
If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
