PHOENIX (AP) — A 25-year-old man allegedly involved in a beer run is being booked on murder charges following a fatal collision early today at a west Phoenix intersection.

Police say the suspect was trying to evade a Tolleson motorcycle officer when he ran a red light at 83rd Avenue and McDowell and the car collided with a pickup. The driver of the pickup, 41-year-old Brian Cook, was killed.

Phoenix police Sergeant Andy Hill says the suspect, Arnoldo Barriente, was treated at a hospital and was arrested upon his release. Hill says because Barriente was running form police he was being booked for investigation of first-degree murder.

Hill says a passenger in Barriente's car allegedly stole beer from a convenience store a short time earlier, and a Tolleson motorcycle officer was pursuing the car after the theft when the accident occurred.

Police got their beer thieves, but at what cost?
By Laurie Roberts
Arizona Republic

Phoenix police said the officer "was complying with the law" when he gave chase. If so, then the law ought to changed. Surely in this day, there's a better way to catch beer thieves than with a chase through city streets. Laurie Roberts' column is no longer available.