A pedestrian was killed Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle on State Route 266 in Graham County, according to a report from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched at about 7:32 p.m. Aug. 7 to Milepost 118 on SR 266 after receiving a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. Dispatchers reported that the vehicle, described as possibly a white sedan, continued eastbound after the collision.
The pedestrian, identified by the reporting party as Ed Cassano of Clermont, Florida, was found lying in the roadway. Dispatchers initially reported that the man had a broken leg and no pulse. A deputy who arrived before the reporting officer determined that the man was beyond help.
Three vehicles were stopped at the scene when deputies arrived. The sheriff’s report states that none showed obvious damage, and the drivers were separated and interviewed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
One driver, identified as a Department of Corrections employee traveling to work at Fort Grant Prison, told deputies he had been traveling about 25 mph because of lightning. He said he did not see a white sedan, did not witness the collision and arrived at the scene shortly before the first deputy.
DPS took over the investigation. The sheriff’s office assisted with traffic control, and westbound traffic was rerouted until the roadway was reopened at approximately 1:27 a.m. Saturday.
57-year-old Ricky Sean Finch of Safford, Arizona, was taken into custody for leaving the scene of an accident involving death and booked into the Graham County Sheriff’s Office Jail in Safford. The suspect vehicle, a white Ford Fusion, was recovered at Finch’s residence.
Updated August 11, 2026 to include suspect arrest.
