Arrests Made in Hit-and-Run Collision that Killed Cullen Connely

San Tan Valley, Arizona—The Pinal County Sheriff's Office has arrested a couple in the hit-and-run collision that resulted in the death of Cullen Connely, age 17.

According to police, Cullen was a passenger in a Chrysler van that was stopped near the east entrance of Wal-Mart on Hunt Highway in San Tan Valley. Cullen's father, Jeff Connely, was driving the van and his mother, Lisa Connely, was in the front passenger seat. A Chevrolet Tahoe rear-ended the van and then fled the scene. Cullen, who was disabled, was in the backseat of the van and was critically injured in the collision. He was transported to a Phoenix hospital where he died from his injuries.

A witness to the collision provided the license plate of the Tahoe. Although the license plate information was inaccurate, accident investigators were able to use the letters and numbers to identify the Tahoe. Detectives learned that the Tahoe was owned by Boyd Palmer and Megan Palmer of Copper Basin.

Detectives who tracked down the couple observed signs and symptoms of impairment in both individuals. The Tahoe was located behind the Wal-Mart store with an open bottle of wine. Surveillance footage revealed that Boyd Palmer was driving the vehicle and his wife, Megan, was a passenger.

Boyd Palmer was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a fatal crash and manslaughter. Megan Palmer was charged with hindering prosecution and having an open container of alcohol inside a vehicle.

We offer our sincere condolences to Jeff and Lisa Connely for the senseless and tragic loss of their son, Cullen.