A Scottsdale man has been arrested in connection with an Oct. 9 crash in Tempe that left a touring mariachi musician from California fighting for his life, police said.
Nathaniel McKean, 23, was taken into custody at his Scottsdale home on Wednesday. He was booked on charges that include aggravated assault causing serious injury and leaving the scene of an accident with injury. A judge set his bond at $150,000.
The victim, 33-year-old Adan Alcala, performs as "Niko Stixx" and plays drums for The Outlaw Mariachi, a Los Angeles-based group. He was in the Valley with the band for a series of shows.
According to court paperwork, a Tempe police officer saw a car traveling the wrong way and up on the sidewalk shortly after midnight on McClintock Drive near Palmcroft Drive, south of Broadway Road. Police allege the driver struck Alcala, who was walking along the sidewalk. Court documents say Alcala suffered several fractures in his arm, shoulder and spine, along with internal organ injuries.
Investigators say the car kept going south in the northbound lanes after the impact, then moved back into the southbound lanes and again drove onto the sidewalk. The driver is accused of hitting a light pole, which knocked off a sideview mirror. Police said that piece helped them link the crash to a white Tesla Model 3, 2017 or newer.
About an hour after the crash, a Tesla Model 3 was reported abandoned on a public road in a neighborhood roughly a half-mile from the scene. Officers found damage consistent with striking a person, and the mirror from the crash site matched the car, documents show. Police traced the vehicle to McKean and located surveillance footage of the collision. The documents say the car was traveling over 32 mph when it hit Alcala.
Inside the car, investigators reported finding "evidence of inhalant usage" that can cause impairment, and they believe impairment played a role. They also found a coffee cup labeled "Nate," business cards belonging to McKean, and a registered owner listed as "Nate M" on the car's infotainment system.
On Oct. 19, police received an anonymous tip saying McKean was the driver and had been drinking before the crash. Officers later interviewed two witnesses who reportedly said McKean told them he fell asleep while driving and hit an unknown item, then left his car and fled.
