Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 131

I Friday, My 8, IWH The Arizona Krpuhlic 7 Report details 6 road rage' death was going to crash into it, but it stopped just short. Both Morton and Pepin got out to confront the olher driver, but the driver took off, heading north on 71st Avenue. He made a U-turn on 71st, then headed south toward the Mustang, apparently aiming for Pep By Brent Whiting Th Arizona Republic GLENDALE In one of his last acts, he shouted vulgar words at 8 driver who was stuck in a ditch. For Michael John Morton, the words sparked a "road rage" confrontation that ended up costing him his life, police said. Morton was killed by an aggressive driver who apparently took offense and ran him down.

Last week, Glendale police released a half-inch-thick investigative feport that outlines the events leading to Morton's death. Detectives also gave the document to prosecutors in support of a request that William George Helmar be charged with second-degree murder. The case remains under investigation, said Bill FitzGerald, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. 1 I lelmar, 29, of Glendale, an electronics technician, remains free pending a decision. He has not been taken into custody.

Morton, 40, of Phoenix, died April 19 at a Phoenix hospital a day after being mowed down near 71st Avenue and West Mary Jane Lane, which is between Greenway and Bell roads in north Glendale. Glendale police said the crash occurred after Morton, a construction foreman, had spent an afternoon with three other men on a concrete job, the four of them splitting an 18-pack of beer. After work, Morton and two of the men, William Albrecht and Kenneth Pepin, stopped at a Circle at 67th Avenue and Greenway Road, where Morton and Pepin bought hot dogs. The police report then describes this scenario: Albrecht drove away in a Ford Mustang, wilh Morton and Pepin in his car. Morton was in the rear seat on the passenger side.

Albrecht told Tom Clayton, a Glendale homicide detective, that while driving west on Greenway, they noticed a van that appeared to be stuck in an irrigation ditch on the right side of the road. As they drove by, both Morton and Pepin shouted vulgarities out the window, he said. The van driver apparently got unstuck and moments later started tailgating Albrecht's car. Albrecht stopped in the road to allow the van to pass. The van driver instead pulled to the passenger side of the car and began yelling at Albrecht, Morton and Pepin.

The van pulled in front of the Mustang and then backed up as if it (actTvitTes -i -ffi'i. M.mia e.r.,,. c. i rr-i I I Trot.r-U Ill a 1 1 I I in and Morton but missing. The van took another U-turn on 7 1st and headed north.

When the van swung around, Morton began throwing rocks at the vehicle, but the van struck him near a stop sign, then fled east on Mary Jane. Albrecht told investigators he thought Morton still had his hot dog in his hand when he was hit. Morton, who suffered massive head injuries, died the next day. Police said Helmar left the scene but came to the Police Department the next day and made a statement. The van Helmar was believed to be driving was found in Wickenburg and was brought to Glendale for examination.

Among other things, mustard and onions, believed to have come from Morton's hot dog, were found on the front of the van, police said. Paul Crum, Helmar's defense lawyer, would not comment. 1 mat. mx io: 21 vwwiwv i Life Visit Ur Modet Suites! OPOt lC-4 forA Appointment h-T localed one block North of Shea at 92nd Street. Call Georgette Kelly 7b7-7b4b No otfr to HI Of IsMt may bf madf and no offer to piifrhnsf or law mav rrfpt1 prior to iMiiartre o( the tnt Aftmrts Sutwlivwion PirWtr Rpfft Brent Whiting can be reached at 444-7119 or at brentwhitingpni.com via e-mail.

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