Police: Driver faces multiple charges after hitting pedestrian

A vehicle-pedestrian accident Thursday resulted in the hospitalization of the victim and the arrest of the driver on multiple charges.

About 2:35 p.m., Kandice Pyper, 49, of Maricopa, was struck by a silver Kia driven by Charles Roberts, 49, in the parking lot behind Basha’s grocery store on John Wayne Parkway, according to police. After striking Pyper, Roberts crashed into a parked car, police said.

Roberts was charged with aggravated assault, endangerment and criminal damage, police said. Charges of aggravated DUI are pending laboratory analysis, police said.

Pyper, the owner of Earthwise Pet Supply in the city, was taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to police.

MPD spokesman Sgt. Hal Koozer said charges have been filed and the investigation continues.

“(A) DUI investigation was conducted on Roberts (who was) was placed under arrest and taken to the Maricopa Police Department where the DUI investigation was completed,” Koozer said.

The incident took place on private property, but Koozer said that even so, “the crimes charged are appropriate.”