New River man dies following motorcycle crash
Father of two was removed from life support on Aug. 14
by Barry Cohen

NEW RIVER – Michael Lee Dowell, 60, of New River, died Aug. 15 at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital, the day after he was removed from life support.

Dowell sustained severe head injuries on Aug. 10, when he lost control of his Harley‑Davidson motorcycle and hit a guard rail on New River Road near 15th Avenue, according to the Maricopa Country Sheriff’s Office. The single‑vehicle crash occurred at about 3:30 p.m., MCSO reported.

Dowell was not wearing a helmet, said Capt. Dennis Tyrrell, spokesperson for Daisy Mountain Fire Department. Paramedics treated Dowell at the scene before transporting him by air to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

“He was a reserve firefighter and a strong man who sometimes appeared gruff, but had the kindest and dearest heart,” said Dowell’s wife, Susie Dowell. Michael Dowell was a cement mason for 40 years before retiring about six years ago, she said. He was the father of two daughters and had five grandchildren.

In other North Valley accident news, a multi‑vehicle crash Aug.13 near the intersection of Tatum Boulevard and Dynamite Road sent three people to the hospital with non‑life threatening injuries, said Phoenix Police Det. Stacie Derge. Derge said Justin Seiter, 37, was driving south on Tatum in a 1990 Volvo at about 8:30 p.m. when he allegedly lost control of  his vehicle and crashed into the rear of a 2000 Hyundai driven by Susanne Arias, 40. The impact pushed Arias’ vehicle into the back of a 2004 Toyota Tundra driven by George Vesenyei, 48, whose vehicle then rear‑ended a 2003 Toyota driven by Jennifer Kullander, 24. Kullander’s vehicle hit the back of a BMW driven by Waheed Ibrahimi, 26.

The Phoenix Fire Department sent four engines and three ambulances to the scene of the accident, said department spokesperson Mike Sandulak.  Seiter was transported by air to John C. Lincoln North Mountain. Arias and her passenger, Dominic Camillo, 45, were taken by ambulance to the same hospital.

Derge said police were not certain if alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Arias was treated and released on Aug. 13, according to hospital spokesperson Susan Fuchs. She said Seiter and Camillo remain hospitalized, both in serious condition.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.