On Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, Danny G. Tiner, 38, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison in connection with a January 12, 2023 fatal collision on Interstate 10 in Chandler which resulted in the deaths of five people. One of those victims was Gilbert Franco of Sierra Vista. Franco had just started a landscaping job days before the incident.
Gilbert Franco
State troopers determined Tiner was driving a commercial truck hauling an open-top box trailer loaded with garbage. The driver failed to stop for congested traffic, rear-ended two passenger vehicles, and wedged them into the back of a second commercial truck. The second commercial truck was pushed forward and struck two additional cars.Â
The two passenger vehicles crushed between the semi-trucks ignited and burst into flames. The fire spread to the at-fault commercial truck tractor and trailer, and to the second commercial truck’s box trailer.Â
Troopers confirmed five people were killed in the two passenger vehicles during the collision.Â
The at-fault commercial driver sustained minor injuries. Minor injuries were reported by the other drivers involved in the collision.
Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers initially suspected driver distraction as a possible factor in the collision. Following months of investigation, troopers determined Tiner was traveling 68 mph in the posted 55-mph construction zone and was actively using TikTok on his cell phone at the time of the collision.
Troopers arrested Tiner at his home on June 29, 2023, on charges including five counts of manslaughter, four counts of endangerment and one count of tampering with evidence. In June of 2024, Tiner pleaded guilty to five counts of negligent homicide.
This marks the first case in AZDPS history in which a driver has been convicted of causing a fatal collision while distracted by a social media application.
"Troopers and our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to ensure a thorough investigation for the victims and their families," said AZDPS Sergeant Smith. "This tragedy was entirely preventable. Don't risk lives - put your phone away and give driving your full attention."
The victims are identified below:
Ryan Gooding
Andrew Standifird
Jerardo Vazquez
Willis Thompson
Gilberto Franco
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