Driver Sentenced for Triple Homicide After High-Speed Smuggling Crash on I-10

Photo: Cochise County Attorney’s Office

BISBEE, Ariz. — The Cochise County Attorney’s Office announced that Erick Antonio Diliz, 43 of Tucson, was sentenced on June 6, 2025, to three life terms in prison for his role in a deadly high-speed crash that killed three individuals in February 2023. The sentences follow Diliz’s conviction last month by a jury on three counts of First-Degree Murder, Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, and multiple counts of Aggravated Assault.

The case stemmed from a human smuggling incident on Interstate 10 near Willcox. Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers attempted to stop Diliz’s vehicle, which was displaying a stolen license plate. Inside the vehicle were nine undocumented individuals. Although law enforcement deployed stop sticks after a one-mile pursuit, Diliz accelerated to speeds nearing 120 mph after hitting the devices. He eventually lost control of the car, crashing into the median. Three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, and several others required medical attention.

Under Arizona law, Diliz must serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible to petition for release through the Board of Executive Clemency. The state does not offer parole, and any potential release is neither automatic nor guaranteed.

“These life sentences send a clear message: we will hold offenders fully accountable,” said Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco. “Human smuggling and high-speed chases put innocent lives at risk in Cochise County every day. We stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting our community and our border.”

Deputy County Attorneys Michael Powell and Jonathan Chavez led the prosecution of the Diliz case, with support from Paralegal Jessica Garcia. The Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.