In a tragic case of drunk driving, an Arizona man received a 22-year prison sentence last week after a horrific incident involving a motorcyclist. The driver, Joel Stephan Goble, aged 40, collided with the motorcyclist, Darrel Evans, and continued to drive for nearly a mile, oblivious to the fact that he was dragging both the motorcycle and its rider along the road.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office highlighted the severity of the incident, noting that the extreme friction from the prolonged dragging caused the motorcycle to ignite in flames. This catastrophic event unfolded on October 5, 2024, resulting in the untimely death of 61-year-old Evans.

According to prosecutors, Goble had been indulging in alcohol at several locations before he decided to take to the road. His reckless decision led him to speed down US Highway 60 at over 100 mph, eventually crashing into the back of Evans’ motorcycle.

Surveillance footage captured the chilling aftermath as Goble exited his truck approximately 4,000 feet from the collision’s origin. He attempted to remove the burning wreckage and Evans from the front of his vehicle before attempting to flee the scene. However, state troopers, who had witnessed the shocking event, intercepted Goble before he could escape.

Surveillance video showed Goble get out of his truck about 4,000 feet past the initial crash site and remove the burning bike and rider off his grill before he fled the scene. Troopers, however, had seen him dragging the bike and stopped him before he could get away.

Several hours after the incident, Goble’s blood had a .132 alcohol content. The legal limit in Arizona is 0.08.

“This case highlights the importance of holding repeat DUI offenders accountable,” prosecutor Stephen Bridger said. “This defendant had multiple prior DUI convictions, and even had warrants for his arrest from yet another DUI just prior to this collision.”

County Prosecutor Brad Miller said the collision “was not an accident.”

“This was a preventable tragedy fueled by reckless choices and repeated disregard for the law,” he said.

Goble was convicted in September and sentenced last week to 22 years in prison for second degree murder and 7 years probation for leaving the scene of a fatal collision.