Our office and the entire community of Tucson were saddened to learn that physician, Dr. Justin Cetas was killed in a motorcycle crash near Interstate 10 and South Kino Parkway on Wednesday, July 13. According to the Tucson Police Department, 51-year-old Justin Schultz Cetas was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Banner-University Medical Center. Banner Medical Center confirmed that Cetas was a well-respected doctor and Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
“On behalf of everyone at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner – University Medicine, we would like to express our most sincere sympathies to Dr. Cetas family and loved ones,” Banner said in a release. “We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic event that is so difficult to process, as we come together to grieve his passing. Dr. Cetas was an alumnus of the college and a talented neurosurgeon who dedicated his life to caring for others. He was also a skilled educator, respected researcher, trusted colleague and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.”
The crash happened at South Kino Parkway and Tucson Marketplace Boulevard around 1 p.m. The TPD said Cetas was northbound on Kino Parkway when a tow truck turned in front of him. The driver of the tow truck driver remained at the scene, cooperated with the investigation and was not impaired, according to the TPD. The TPD said the tow truck’s failure to yield was the major contributing factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges or citations have been issued. Cetas was wearing a helmet and had his motorcycle endorsement, according to the TPD.
Dr. Cetas completed a fellowship with the Division of Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and then joined the faculty as an assistant professor. He became an associate professor in 2016 and served as the department’s residency program director since 2017 and vice chair for education since 2019. He also has served as a member of the Oregon Trauma Audit Group since 2014, and he has been on the research committee for the VA since 2017 at the Portland VA Medical Center.
The foundation of my law firm is integrity, honesty and compassion. I have over 20 years of experience helping Tucson families who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. I help with serious injuries that require serious representation. I am a vigorous advocate for my clients, protect their rights and give them a voice in the court room. Call Tammy Carter Law 24/7/365 at 520-333-7737.