A man accused of reckless driving that officials say led to two separate crashes in Glendale on March 22 — including a collision that killed a passenger — was arrested Aug. 19 after leaving the country to avoid prosecution, court documents show.
Arrest follows monthslong efforts to locate suspect
Police and prosecutors identified the suspect as Ali Thoban Alebadi, 20. He faces charges that include murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incidents, which began around 7:30 a.m. on March 22.
According to court papers, Alebadi was observed leaving Loop 101 at the Glendale Avenue off-ramp and nearly lost control turning right. Video cited in court documents shows a vehicle later entering the Westgate Entertainment District, cutting off traffic, making wide turns, running multiple red lights and driving into oncoming lanes.
- Officer attempted a traffic stop near 57th Avenue; the driver did not stop and sped away.
- A pursuing officer collided with a 2023 Toyota Tacoma; that driver suffered what the documents describe as “serious, life altering injuries.”
- The pursuit continued to the intersection of Glendale Avenue and 51st Avenue, where a collision with a Nissan Sentra killed the passenger and left the driver in a coma, court records state.
Injuries, intoxication and license status
After the March crashes, Alebadi was treated for a broken leg and later released from medical care, court documents say. Testing after the incident measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.141, above Arizona’s legal limit of 0.08. Records also say he did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the incidents.
It is unclear where Alebadi fled, but documents said he has connections to Mexico and Iraq.
Timeline of the March 22 incidents
| Date | Approximate time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| March 22 | 7:30 a.m. | Vehicle seen exiting Loop 101 onto Glendale Avenue; near loss of control on turn |
| March 22 | Morning | Vehicle enters Westgate area, recorded running red lights and driving into oncoming traffic |
| March 22 | Shortly after | Officer pursues; patrol car collides with a 2023 Toyota Tacoma |
| March 22 | Shortly after | Subsequent collision at Glendale Avenue and 51st Avenue kills passenger of a Nissan Sentra |
The court documents describe a chaotic series of events that not only injured first responders and other motorists but also left a Sentra passenger dead and another driver critically injured and in a coma. The pursuing officer was hospitalized but not seriously hurt, according to the records.
Flight and arrest
After the incidents, Alebadi reportedly left the country to avoid arrest. The documents do not state the country or countries he went to, only that he has connections to Mexico and Iraq. Authorities located and arrested him in Glendale on Aug. 19. He is expected to appear in court on Aug. 27, according to the records.
Prosecutors will now proceed with the case based on the evidence cited in the court filings, including video recordings of the vehicle’s movements, injury reports and the post-crash chemical test that showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.141. The charges carry significant penalties if the state secures convictions.
Glendale residents expressed concern after the March crashes, which occurred in a busy commercial area. The city has seen earlier collisions tied to high-speed pursuits and impaired driving; officials say those incidents strain emergency services and traffic operations.
Anyone with additional information about the March 22 incidents who has not already spoken with investigators is urged to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. The case remains active as court proceedings move forward.
