Marana barrel racer killed in hit-and-run

Kyrsten Sovereign, 23, of Marana, was killed on July 11 when the vehicle she was in was struck by driver Dave Gilbert Loescher, a 58-year-old resident of Florence, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Loescher initially fled the scene of the crash, which occurred on Hunt Highway near Magma Road in San Tan Valley. He was found after a manhunt that included Flock cameras and tips from the community, according to Joe McCarthy, the department's spokesperson.

McCarthy said Loescher was attempting to pass another car while driving westbound on the highway when he crashed into the back of the car that Sovereign was in. The car was pushed into the eastbound lane of traffic, where it was struck by another car, after which Loescher fled, McCarthy said.

Another person who was in the car with Sovereign is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while two others remain in stable condition with injuries that are not life-threatening, McCarthy said.

Loescher is currently being held on a $1 million bond and faces felony charges of manslaughter, hit and run fatal collision, aggravated assault and reckless driving.

Venue to hold fundraiser

According to BR Diamond Spur Barrel Productions, Sovereign was on her way to an event at the venue when the vehicle was struck. Barrel racing is a rodeo event where a horse and its rider attempt to race around barrels for the fastest time.

The woman in the car with Sovereign was her friend Aversa Rice, according to a GoFundMe page. The page is raising money to go toward covering Rice's medical expenses. Sovereign's family has also started a GoFundMe page to help with the costs for her memorial service.

According to the page, Rice was airlifted by helicopter to the hospital after her vehicle was struck by Loescher's car. She suffered a number of injuries, including a shoulder injury, fractured ribs and an injury in her pelvis that will require surgery.

"Doctors expect she will need six months to a year of intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation before she can regain her strength and independence," the page said.

BR Diamond Spur Barrel Productions will be holding a fundraiser for both Sovereign and Rice on July 17. The event will be a 50/50 raffle, where half of the raffle proceeds will go to the ticket winner, and the other half will be divided between covering Sovereign's memorial expenses and Rice's hospital bills, according to the Facebook page.

Family, friends remember Sovereign

Sovereign's grandmother, Diane Fry, remembered her granddaughter as someone who was outgoing and had a lot going for her in life. Sovereign also wasn't afraid to speak her mind, Fry said.

Fry said her sister got all of the girls into barrel racing as children, and Sovereign stuck with it.

"That was her love," Fry said.

Sovereign is survived by her two younger sisters, who are 12 and 3, Fry said. Sovereign loved her sisters and was also the go-to person whenever her friends were going through a hard time, Fry said.

One of her friends, Jaceylyn Motes, remembered Sovereign as a great friend who always made sure everyone felt included. Motes credits Sovereign with helping her learn to live in the moment.

Motes said Sovereign had recently gotten back into barrel racing at the time of her death. She was working hard to become better and had dreams to go professional one day.

"And even if she didn't make it that, to just win a few buckles or even a couple of saddles, she would have been over the moon about that," Motes said.

Motes said she and Sovereign's loved ones are dealing with the anger that her life was taken at the hands of someone else. Motes advised that anyone who plans to drive to do so with patience.

"Remember that those cars that you're driving with aren't just cars. There are people in those cars. There are brothers and sisters and mothers and wives and husbands," Motes said.

She advised people who are angry or have low patience or are intoxicated to any degree to stay off the road.

"If that was a rule that everyone abided by, Kyrsten would still be here with us and Aversa wouldn't be in the hospital," Motes said.