On Friday, March 31, 2017, at approximately 3:10 a.m., the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle collision in the area of County 14th Street and Avenue G.
The initial investigation revealed that a blue 1998 Ford van was northbound on Avenue G when the vehicle was struck by a black 2012 Nissan pickup traveling westbound on County 14th Street. The Nissan pickup failed to stop at the posted stop sign on County 14th Street and Avenue G.
The driver of the Ford van was pronounced deceased at the scene. The identification of the driver is pending next of kin notification.
The driver of the Nissan pickup, Jose Luis Tapia-Fierro, 49, of Yuma was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Tapia-Fierro was taken into custody and was booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for 2nd Degree Murder.
The case remains under investigation. Alcohol does appear to be a factor in the collision.
Anyone with information regarding this case, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit our website at www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.