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Pinal officials: No charges expected in Scout hiking death

Posted at 12:09 PM, May 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-03 16:06:48-04

PICACHO PEAK, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities say no charges are anticipated after a 16-year-old Goodyear Boy Scout died while on a troop hiking trip in the Arizona desert.


According to his obituary, the victim's name was Joshua "Josh" Michael White.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Navideh Forghani said Friday that investigators looking into the death at Picacho Peak State Park between Phoenix and Tucson last Saturday afternoon don't expect to file a criminal case.

Forghani said there were two adults leading a small group of scouts on a hike at the park along the I-10 freeway that features distinctive 1,500-foot Picacho Peak. The park has several hiking trails that offer spectacular views.

Sheriff's officials say the hikers had water when they left, but ran out at the top of a mountain. The boy showed signs of extreme dehydration and died on the way down.

Pinal County officials will not confirm the boy's name, despite its public release in the obituary, per advice from the county attorney. The death has been deemed accidental.