CHANDLER, Ariz. – A truck driver who authorities say was watching TikTok videos when he caused a deadly crash along Interstate 10 in Chandler has been sentenced to prison.
Danny Tiner, 37, received a sentence of over 22 years for negligent homicide in connection to the crash, which happened on Jan. 12, 2023, near I-10 and Wildhorse Pass Boulevard.
Tiner was driving a commercial tractor-trailer hauling garbage when he drove through a construction zone and rear-ended two other vehicles, sandwiching them into the back of another semi, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. Five people died at the scene.
Investigators say Tiner was traveling 68 miles per hour in the 55 mph construction zone and accessed at least four separate TikTok videos within seconds of the crash.
In June of last year, Tiner was arrested on charges including five counts of manslaughter, four counts of endangerment and one count of tampering with evidence.
A year later, Tiner pleaded guilty to five counts of negligent homicide.
“As a driver, you have an obligation to pay attention to the road. To choose to access social media while driving, placing the lives of others on the line, is reckless,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said. “Five families are living through the pain of losing a loved one. While the justice system can never relieve that pain, it can hold the person responsible accountable. We achieved that goal.”
‘It’s been very hard’
Families of the victims were there for his sentencing.
The victims are Ryan Gooding, Andrew Standifird, Jerardo Vazquez, Willis Thompson and Gilberto Franco.
“Nobody survived in that car. Nobody. Four people passed away and there was a car in front of it, and they passed away,” said Andrew’s mother, Sarah Standifird.
Finding out 28-year-old Andrew, a father of three, died in the fiery crash replays in his mother’s head.
“I was just so in shock. I couldn’t drive. I couldn’t do anything really,” she said.
The same goes for 28-year-old Gilberto’s mother, Nancy Almanza.
“I live it every day,” she said. “I think about my son every day. I know no amount of money, no amount of time is going to bring back my son. It’s been very hard.”
Gilberto’s death is also taking a major toll on his sister, Yesenia Almanza.
“It has affected my life completely,” she said. “Actually, I’ve been in therapy, lost my job almost right after he passed because I was taking care of the funeral and just arranging everything for him, identifying him.”
Both of these families were in attendance for Tiner’s sentencing.
“As a mom, I wish there was more, but logically, I understand based off of what the circumstances were,” Andrew’s mother said.
Gilberto’s mother said, “You know, Tiner didn’t even seem remorseful. He didn’t turn to the families and apologize. It was just not what we expected at all.”
Danny Tiner was sentenced to prison for causing a fiery crash on I-10 near Wildhorse Pass Boulevard that left five people dead.
Map of where the crash happened
Source Agencies
