A jury in Arizona convicted Joel Stephan Goble (39) of Second Degree Murder and Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Collision, both Class 2 Felonies, following a brutal crash in which he struck a motorcyclist and then fled the scene. Goble was sentenced to 22 years in the Department of Corrections for the murder charge and seven years of probation for the hit-and-run on October 24, 2025.
The conviction stems from an October 5, 2024, incident where Goble, after hours of drinking at multiple locations, drove his truck over 100 miles per hour on the US 60 in Apache Junction, directly into Darrel Evans, who was riding his motorcycle home.
A ‘Preventable Tragedy’
The impact was so forceful that the motorcycle and rider were pinned to the front of the truck and dragged for over 4,000 feet—nearly a quarter mile—before Goble exited the freeway at Idaho Road and stopped. The friction from being pushed at high speed caused the motorcycle to catch fire.
READ: Man Charged With Murder Of Mom After Fatal Incident In Connecticut
Surveillance video showed the defendant attempting to dislodge the burning bike and severely injured rider before fleeing the scene, leaving the bleeding victim behind. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers immediately stopped Goble as he attempted to escape. Goble’s blood was drawn hours later and registered a .132 BAC, well over the legal limit. The victim succumbed to his injuries.
“This was not an accident—this was a preventable tragedy fueled by reckless choices and repeated disregard for the law,” said County Attorney Miller.
Repeat Offender Held Accountable
Prosecutors highlighted Goble’s extensive history of impaired driving. Prosecutor Stephen Bridger noted, “This defendant had multiple prior DUI convictions, and even had warrants for his arrest stemming from yet another DUI just prior to this collision.”
County Attorney Miller stressed the significance of the verdict for the community. “The defendant’s history of impaired driving, combined with his callous decision to flee while a man lay dying on the roadway, shows the very worst kind of danger to our community,” Miller said. “The conviction delivers justice for the victim and his loved ones, and it sends a clear message: Pinal County will not tolerate repeat offenders who choose to endanger innocent lives.”
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office had sought the maximum allowable sentence of 37.5 years, arguing that Goble was a poor candidate for probation due to his repeated DUI offenses.
“Nothing can undo the loss suffered by the victim’s family, but we hope this verdict and sentencing provides some measure of accountability and peace,” Miller concluded. The case was investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Vehicular Crimes Unit with assistance from the Apache Junction Police Department.
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