Mount Vernon man dies in Ariz. shooting, car crash
PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities say a man is dead after being shot and then crashing his car into a tree in Phoenix.
Phoenix police say 23-year-old Nathan DeWitt, originally from Mount Vernon, died early Wednesday after being taken to a hospital.
Police and Phoenix Fire crews responded to a rollover crash shortly after midnight and found an SUV on its side.
They say DeWitt crawled out of the vehicle and had been shot.
Police say it's still unclear if DeWitt died from the shooting wound, injuries from the crash or both.
Detectives are trying to determine what happened leading up to DeWitt's death and say he possibly was at Christmas party before the shooting and crash.
Phoenix police say 23-year-old Nathan DeWitt, originally from Mount Vernon, died early Wednesday after being taken to a hospital.
Police and Phoenix Fire crews responded to a rollover crash shortly after midnight and found an SUV on its side.
They say DeWitt crawled out of the vehicle and had been shot.
Police say it's still unclear if DeWitt died from the shooting wound, injuries from the crash or both.
Detectives are trying to determine what happened leading up to DeWitt's death and say he possibly was at Christmas party before the shooting and crash.
He was a close high school friend of mine. He didn't deserve this at all. He had a lot of great qualities about him. He was always optimistic and had a positive outlook on life. This has been a tough week. I will see you again soon. R.I.P. Nathan DeWitt
Arizona is an absolute mess. Its murder rate is well above the national average, and its police just seem incapable of dealing with all the crime down there. Glad I live elsewhere.
 @Whobeke Give me the stats. I don't believe it is any worse than here. It may be even better.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-4
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/murder-rates-nationally-and-state
 @Whobeke Please let us know where you get your stats from. I looked, but could not find ANY reliable report that has studied crime rates in Arizona and concluded that its murder rate is above the national average.
Arizona being such a tough-on-crime, right-wing state and full or retirees I can't imagine them having anywhere near the problem Washington has....
 @DrugFighter  @Whobekehttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-4
 @Whobeke You have no clue do you?  Can you walk alone at night on the streets of Seattle?  Renton? Redmond? Federal Way?  Tacoma?
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How's your gang problem and day shootings? Â Heard the phrase Seattle is getting more like Oakland, California every day?
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There are no sanctuary cities for criminals in Arizona. Â Seattle prides itself on being one. Â Washington state is the number one state that felons asked to be released to; to serve parole because it is the hug-me state. Â Come one - come all.
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Arizona has the toughest Sheriff in the Nation. Â 60-minutes says so. Â Washington? Â You have no clue.
 @sentryone Hate to break it to you, but you are the clueless one AND have made yourself look like a fool. Arizona has a MUCH higher violent crime rate. It's not even close. And not hard to research for someone with half a brain.
 @Whobeke The murder rate is lower in AZ than it is here.
 @JeepRex Arizona ranks towards the top of the list. Much higher than Washington.Â
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http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-4
 @Whobeke The US is an absolute mess with the national murder rate far exceeding other countries. Where do you live that you think you're safe at?
Didn't his brother drive sprint cars at Skagit?