New Charges Emerge in Dena Devine Case, Yet a Key Element Remains Elusive

On January 21, 2024, first responders addressed the tragic scene at Honeycutt Road and Continental Boulevard, where motorcyclist Jordan Orlando Piergrossi was pronounced dead. One year later, 53-year-old Dena Paige Devine admitted to consuming alcohol and a marijuana edible before the incident, which resulted in Piergrossi’s death.

Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer previously announced that the case would progress from Pinal County Superior Court to Maricopa Municipal Court. Devine now faces charges of DUI and misdemeanor manslaughter, according to updates from local prosecutors.

However, recent developments indicate that new charges have been filed against Devine, including DUI, DUI drugs, and reckless driving. Maricopa Police spokesperson Monica Williams confirmed these updates, noting that Devine has yet to be arrested despite facing substantial penalties, including potential jail time and fines.

Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman stated that the decision on whether to pursue additional charges, such as manslaughter, is beyond his jurisdiction. Inquiries have been made to the prosecutor, Murdock Holloway, to seek further clarification on the matter.

Devine is scheduled for arraignment at 1 p.m. on January 21, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the crash.

Evidence surrounding the incident raises questions about Piergrossi’s condition at the time. A report from the Maricopa Police Department revealed an empty Fireball whiskey bottle found near Piergrossi’s body, which initially suggested he might have been impaired. However, Andre Davis, from the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed that toxicological tests indicated that Piergrossi was sober at the time of the collision, despite the whiskey container found at the scene.