by APACHE JUNCTION, AZ — A 40-year-old Arizona man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after a horrific crash in which he struck a motorcyclist while driving drunk at over 100 mph — then dragged the victim nearly a mile before realizing what he had done.
According to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, Joel Stephan Goble pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal collision following the October 2024 death of 61-year-old Darrell Evans, a beloved local resident remembered for his passion for music and motorcycles.
Drunk Driving at Deadly Speeds
Prosecutors said the deadly crash occurred on October 5, 2024, after Goble spent several hours drinking at multiple locations across Pinal County. He then got behind the wheel of his truck and sped down U.S. Route 60 in Apache Junction at more than 100 miles per hour.
As he barreled down the highway, Goble slammed directly into the rear of Evans’ motorcycle with such force that both the rider and the bike became pinned to the truck’s grill. Instead of stopping, Goble continued driving — dragging the motorcycle approximately 4,000 feet, nearly three-quarters of a mile.
The friction from the pavement caused the motorcycle to burst into flames as Evans remained trapped. Witnesses later told investigators they could see sparks and smoke trailing behind the speeding vehicle.
A Grisly Attempt to Escape
Authorities said Goble finally exited the highway at Idaho Road, where he stopped and attempted to dislodge the burning motorcycle from his truck. Once he succeeded, he climbed back inside and fled the scene, leaving Evans critically injured on the roadside.
Police officers in the area quickly spotted Goble’s damaged truck and initiated a traffic stop. When they tested him for alcohol, he registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.132 — a reading taken hours after the collision, meaning his BAC was likely even higher at the time of impact.
Evans succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
Repeat Offender With Prior DUIs
Pinal County prosecutors revealed that Goble had a long history of driving under the influence, including multiple prior DUI convictions and an active warrant for his arrest related to another alcohol-related case.
“This was not an accident — this was a preventable tragedy fueled by reckless choices and repeated disregard for the law,” said Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller. “The defendant’s history of impaired driving, combined with his callous decision to flee while a man lay dying on the roadway, shows the very worst kind of danger to our community.”
Miller emphasized that Goble’s sentence sends a clear message: repeat offenders who endanger innocent lives through drunk driving will face the full weight of justice.
Remembering the Victim
Evans’ family and friends described him as a free-spirited man who deeply loved Arizona, where he had lived since childhood. According to his obituary, Evans was “a man of passion and kindness, who found joy in playing guitar and the freedom of riding motorcycles.”
He was known among his community as someone who valued the open road and the camaraderie that comes with riding — making his death all the more tragic for those who shared his love of biking.
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Justice and a Warning
The 22-year prison sentence, followed by seven years of probation, aims to bring closure to Evans’ family while highlighting the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
Authorities urge Arizona residents to think twice before getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol and to report reckless drivers whenever possible.
“Every drinker who drives believes it won’t happen to them — until it does,” Miller said. “This case is proof that one night of bad decisions can destroy multiple lives.”
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