Phoenix Police arrested a woman in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed an ASU Foundation official, police reported Friday.
Micheal Boulden, 37, former chief of staff of the non-profit group that raises funds for the University, was struck by an automobile and killed while riding his bike eastbound on Pinnacle Peak Road Feb. 18, police reported.
Police arrested 26-year-old Yesenia Angulo-Gastelum Thursday night after receiving an anonymous tip that she was the driver of the car that reportedly hit Boulden, said Sgt. Joel Tranter of Phoenix Police.
Upon questioning, Angulo-Gastelum said she was the driver of the vehicle that struck Boulden, Tranter said. She was booked into jail on a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, he added.
Angulo-Gastelum was on her way to work when she reportedly struck Boulden at 6:23 a.m.
It was dark out, but Boulden had lights on his bike, Tranter said.
Boulden had just returned to his home in Phoenix one day earlier from a weeklong trip to visit his 3-year-old daughter and "former wife," Melanie Boulden, according to the ASU Foundation.
"If anything, please take comfort in your hearts and minds knowing that Micheal spent his last days with the light of his life - our beautiful 3-year-old daughter, Maya," Melanie wrote in a letter to those in mourning. "She's the spitting image of Micheal and definitely has his strength. While he physically may not be around us, Micheal's spirit lives on in her."
The members of the ASU Foundation were saddened to hear of Boulden's death, said ASU Foundation President and CEO Johnnie Ray in a statement.
"Micheal was a young and vital man with a good heart and we will miss him terribly," he said. "Although words of comfort are difficult to find, let our hearts swell with the joy of having known this lovely young man who left us all too soon."
At the Foundation, Boulden's responsibilities included management of special projects, board relations and human resources. Boulden had worked for the Foundation since 2005.
After striking Boulden with her vehicle, Angulo-Gastelum and her boyfriend, who was in the car at the time, attempted to conceal Angulo-Gastelum's white, 1999 Chevy Malibu from the public, Tranter said.
The car had sustained front-end damage and a broken windshield from the incident. The suspect's boyfriend did some bodywork to repair the front end and arrangements had been made to replace the windshield, police said.
But Angulo-Gastelum was driving her car again two days later, Tranter said.
Police had not released the name of the suspect's boyfriend as of Friday because the investigation against him has not been concluded. But Tranter said charges will be filed.
If found guilty, Angulo-Gastelum could face up to several years in prison, Tranter said.
No trial date has been set.
Barnett Lotstein of the Maricopa County Attorney's office said Friday that a decision would probably be made today.
The ASU Foundation will celebrate Boulden's life just the way they say he would have wanted it - with barbeque and jazz music.
Boulden's family will join ASU Foundation and ASU employees at the celebration today at 11 a.m. in the Fulton Center.
Reach the reporter at: samuel.good@asu.edu.
