Sierra Vista Police arrested a Douglas man on Wednesday night after a traffic collision revealed bundles of marijuana that had been concealed inside his vehicle.
Sierra Vista Police Department officers responded to the intersection of the Highway 90 Bypass and Buffalo Soldier Trail for a report of a traffic accident at about 9:33 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12. Officers discovered an unoccupied red Ford Mustang just south of the intersection with its front bumper torn off. Bundles of marijuana that had been concealed inside the bumper were scattered in the street.
Witnesses on scene reported that the Mustang was in the northbound left hand turn lane heading toward the Van Deman Gate when the driver instead turned to continue north and was struck by a semi-truck that was also traveling northbound. The driver, who was the only occupant of the Mustang, was then observed fleeing the scene on foot toward Fort Huachuca.
A short time later, military police notified the SVPD dispatch that an individual matching the description of the driver was seen at the Van Deman Gate moving on foot. SVPD officers made contact with the driver, 18-year-old Douglas resident Oscar Rafael Martinez, and took him into custody. Martinez was booked into the Cochise County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and transport of marijuana for sale.
The Mustang was transported back to the Sierra Vista Police Department and a search warrant was executed the next day. A total of 75 marijuana bundles weighing over 86 pounds were seized as evidence. Martinez is the registered owner of the Mustang.