Accused drunk driver makes court appearance
Our cameras were in the courtroom Tuesday as the man accused of driving drunk and killing a Y uma mother faced a judge.
28-year-old Christopher Peirce is now facing seven counts including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident.
Peirce faced the judge Tuesday afternoon where he also learned that his bond is now $250,000 cash only.
That’s an increase of $200,000 requested by the state compared to $50,000 that was set on Saturday.
Peirce’s attorney argued against the increase saying that his client doesn’t have a criminal record.
But the family of the victim’s disagreed saying Peirce is a threat to the community.
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“It is what it is. If he does make the bail, I just hope he doesn’t go out there and do the same thing to anybody else, create more victims out there,” said Chris Patch.
Friday night Marie and John Patch were on their way home when police said Peirce rear-ended them. 66-year-old Maria Patch died at the scene. Her husband, 70-year-old John Patch, was flown to a Phoenix-area hospital and remains in the ICU.
The married couple of 44 years had strong ties to the community. On Facebook, local residents shared good memories with this couple. Everyone has at least heard of them or even through this fatal accident.
On Facebook, Peirce’s wife said that he was on the job.
Police said he was driving a tow truck for Kennedy Towing but have yet to confirm whether he was working that night.
