TUCSON, Ariz. — The city is grieving after a violent crash at East Valencia Road and South Country Club Road took the lives of 20-year-old Ashtyn Vandersloot and two of his friends late Saturday night. The collision happened on March 1, 2026, and investigators say speed played a major role in what unfolded.
Police say Vandersloot was behind the wheel of a black BMW 750 traveling eastbound on Valencia Road. As the car approached the intersection, a silver Buick Envision was attempting to turn left from westbound Valencia onto southbound Country Club Road. That is when the BMW slammed into the Buick with devastating force.
Authorities believe Vandersloot was driving at an excessive speed. Video evidence reviewed by investigators suggests he may have been racing another vehicle at the time of the crash. Police are now working to identify that second driver and are asking for the public’s help.
Two passengers in the BMW, 20-year-old Antonio Olalde and 18-year-old Grace Hobbs, were also killed in the collision. A fourth passenger, a 19-year-old man, survived but suffered life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains under medical care.
The 55-year-old driver of the Buick sustained minor injuries and stayed at the scene. Officers say he cooperated fully with investigators as they worked through the wreckage and closed down the intersection for hours.
Friends and family members are remembering Vandersloot as a young man whose life ended far too soon. Social media has filled with tributes, photos, and messages of disbelief. For many in Tucson, the tragedy feels personal, a painful reminder of how quickly everything can change.
The Tucson Police Department continues to investigate. Anyone with information about the second vehicle believed to have been racing is urged to contact 911 or 88-CRIME to remain anonymous. As the investigation moves forward, three families now face an unbearable loss, and a community is left searching for answers.
