Clark County court employee accused of fatal Christmas Eve DUI in Arizona

An assistant court administrator at Clark County District Court has been accused by police of driving under the influence and causing a fatal, wrong-way crash in Arizona on Christmas Eve, then fleeing the scene.

Michael Doan, 46, was arrested after he drove his northbound Ford truck across the center line of Highway 91 in Littlefield and hit a southbound Toyota, killing Donald Thurston, 59, of Prineville, Oregon, and injuring a passenger of the Toyota, said the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces charges that include second-degree murder, manslaughter, failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious injury or death, and driving under the influence, according to a Monday news release from the sheriff’s office.

A court spokesperson said Doan was hired in 2007 and is on administrative leave.

District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese praised Doan in a April article published by the Clark County Bar Association.

“We are fortunate to have such a capable IT leader (Mike Doan), and his stellar team,” he wrote.

After the crash, the sheriff’s office said Doan fled on foot. Deputies responded at about 6:22 p.m. and found him hiding near the crash scene and observed that he “showed signs and symptoms of impairment from alcohol,” according to a prior news release. He admitted that he was involved in the collision, the sheriff’s office said.

Lonnie Thurston, Thurston’s brother, said that at the time of the crash, Donald Thurston and his fiancee, Melody McDonald, were driving back from dinner with a friend in St. George, Utah when another vehicle came at them head-on in their lane.

“They left early because they were trying to avoid drunk drivers and they ended up getting hit by one,” Thurston said.

Thurston said his brother swerved to the right, which saved McDonald’s life, but meant he received the brunt of the crash impact.

The two had bought their house in Scenic, Arizona, in July, he said. He described his brother as an adventurous person who was skilled at fishing and welding.

McDonald said they met on a dating app in 2022 and became engaged just two months later. She was drawn to Thurston because of his kindness. “He brought the best out of you,” she said.

After the loss of her husband eight years ago, she said, “He kind of brought joy back in my life.”

“He gave the best hugs,” she added. “And every morning and every night, he’d tell you that he loved you.”

According to his obituary, Thurston was born in Portland, Oregon, and ran a metal fabrication business. He relocated his business to Scenic, Arizona, where his fiancee lived, in July, the obituary said. Besides his fiancee, his survivors include his parents and his brothers.

“Donnie had a deep love for the outdoors, enjoying activities such as … hunting, fishing and marveling at the beautiful Arizona sunsets,” the obituary said. “He cherished adventures with his fiancée.”

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.