Tucson Police Department officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover collision that occurred in the area of West Drexel Road and South Woodcrest Drive on the early morning of April 16, 2012. Initial information received from a 911 call as well as emergency medical personnel from the Tucson Fire Department, who responded to the scene, was that the vehicle involved had come to a stop after rolling into a wall.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was severely injured as a result of the incident, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. He has been identified as Jose Manuel Estrada Mendez, 20-years of age. Next of kin have been notified.
Detectives from the Traffic Investigations Unit responded to the scene to further the investigation. They interviewed witnesses at the scene, and determined that the vehicle, a black 4-door 1997 Ford Explorer, was traveling eastbound on West Drexel Road at a high rate of speed. It appears that the driver lost control of the vehicle near the intersection with South Woodcrest Drive, and the vehicle began to roll over several times, leaving the roadway along the southern curb line. It ultimately came to a stop, after striking a wall, in a culvert that runs parallel to the roadway.
In addition to speed, it is possible that alcohol may have been a factor in the collision. According to police, an autopsy will be conducted to better assess whether alcohol or any other factors contributed to the driver’s condition prior to the accident.