It was a beautiful morning in Fountain Hills, the kind of day in Arizona that draws people from the north and Midwest to escape the cold and blustery winter.

On Tuesday morning, March 13, it was two such couples that set out for a walk around Fountain Park, just as hundreds of others do daily this time of year.

Iowa residents Bob and Karen Bonta and Patti and Ronald Doornbos, from Canada, were walking north along Saguaro Boulevard and found themselves together at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change. The couples did not know each other, but their lives were about to be intertwined in one of Fountain Hills’ most tragic accidents.

A man sitting in his car also waiting for the light is a physician assistant at the nearby medical center. He told The Times he noticed a vehicle approaching from behind and saw it strike the curb and jump onto the sidewalk.

The gold-colored Ford SUV traveled a couple of hundred feet down the sidewalk and the driver turned back into the street. When he did, he struck the four pedestrians.

The PA said he was out of his vehicle immediately to see about aiding the injured. He also said the driver of the SUV got out and went to try and help. There were others at nearby businesses and on their own walks in the park who rushed into the street to help the injured.

An ambulance that happened on the scene right after the accident. They radioed for help and reported “four people on the ground.”

Assistant Fire Chief Jason Payne said it was one of the fastest responses he can recall and the emergency was upgraded to bring additional manpower to the scene.

A paramedic on the ambulance assessed the situation and called out to bystanders who knew CPR to render aid until firefighters arrived. She gave instruction where needed.

Three fire trucks and two ambulances were soon on the scene, as well as law enforcement.

On one of the fire trucks there were “red shirt” firefighters who had just completed academy training, receiving an unexpectedly harsh indoctrination into their new career.

In spite of the efforts of nearly two dozen emergency medical personnel and willing volunteers, Karen Bonta (71) and Patti Doornbos (60), died at the scene. Bob Bonta (72) and Ronald Doorndos (60) were rushed to the hospital where Bob died soon after arriving.

As of Friday morning Ronald was still fighting for his life.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as Alex Bashaw (27). The investigation by deputies and detectives at the scene found no evidence of impairment with Bashaw. The investigation is continuing with charges possible but uncertain at this time. Bashaw lived in Fountain Hills with family at one time. His current residence is uncertain.

Vigil

Residents in Fountain Hills were stunned by such a tragic accident in their community. More than 100 people offered their prayers for the deceased, the critically injured and their families at a community vigil held in Fountain Park Thursday evening, March 15, just a few hundred feet from the accident scene.

The Bontas were remembered in a local newspaper in Iowa as a civic-minded couple, long respected for their work in education and medical administration in Southeast Iowa.

The vigil was led by Deacon Phil LoCascio of the Catholic Church of the Ascension and Pastor Bill Good of the First Presbyterian Church.

“This is such a tragedy,” were the sentiments of one woman attending the vigil. She said she had gone for a walk herself on Tuesday morning and had passed the intersection just a short time before the accident.

Steve Simon and his wife attended the vigil to pay their respects.

“We felt we wanted to be part of this and help in the healing process,” Simon said.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh said she believes the vigil was important for the town in the healing process.

“It doesn’t matter that we don’t know these people,” Kavanagh said. “Even being here for a short period of time, they were part of our community.

“This [vigil] was just spontaneous, to get everyone here to pray together as a town.”

Kavanagh also said they need to pray for the young man driving.

“He is a wounded person too and will need help in healing.”