Subscribe to RSSBicycle accident kills NAU senior
A memorial is started at the corner of South Walapai Drive and Mohawk Road for Jordan Murphy-Mahoney, a senior physiology and business major, who was hit by a vehicle while riding her bike around 11 p.m. Sept. 9. She was 21 years old. (Photo by Sean Ryan)
By Aurelia Acquati
A Northern Arizona University (NAU) student was killed after being involved in a hit-and-run collision Sept. 9.
The victim, identified as Jordan Murphy-Mahoney, was a 21-year-old senior from San Jose, Calif.
Tom Bauer, director of university public affairs, expressed his condolences for the family and friends of the victim.
“When we lose part of our family, it’s a sad day and we’re thinking only of the family and friends [first],” Bauer said. “But as far as protocols, three-fourths of what the university does when it loses one of its’ students is the certain steps it takes, [such as] contacting the family.”
Murphy-Mahoney was riding her bicycle around 11 p.m. on Sept. 9 in the neighborhoods of south Flagstaff when she was struck by a vehicle that proceeded to flee the scene. Paramedics and Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) were called to the intersection of South Walapai Drive and Mohawk Road to assist the victim and investigate the suspected vehicle and driver.
The vehicle damaged the bike and Murphy-Mahoney suffered life-threatening injuries upon impact that resulted in death.
Responding police officers received a detailed description that the vehicle was a white or silver truck with considerable damage to the front end. Shortly after the vehicle fled the accident, police were given information by eyewitnesses on where the truck was.
FPD immediately went to the general location and identified the vehicle according to its description. Upon seeing a woman examining the damage to the vehicle, they started questioning her about the accident. Possible suspect, Kelsey Cody, a 22-year-old Flagstaff resident, denied driving the vehicle at the time of collision.
Due to probable cause, police arrested Cody for failing to stop after an injury/fatal accident that resulted in manslaughter.
Rick Brandel, Dean of Students, said in a statement Murphy-Mahoney’s family is currently arranging a formal memorial service to be held in the near future. There has been a great amount of support for her family and friends during this tragic time.
Bauer said Murphy-Mahoney had two majors, and her sudden death was shocking. When a student is lost, the whole campus is affected.
“She was a double major [in] psychology and English and whenever we lose a member of our family, it saddens the whole campus,” Bauer said. “It was shocking when I first heard about that; I can speak on behalf of [President Haeger] to say that as well. It’s always a sad day in Flagstaff [and] throughout the NAU community.”
At this time, the investigation is still underway. For more information and the latest updates, check NorthernArizonaNews.com.
