A Prescott woman, Shannon Smith, age 26, was killed on January 4, in a single car collision. Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the collision on Iron Springs Road, mile marker 12 near the Skull Valley Cemetery at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) deputies received a report of a woman’s body apparently ejected from a vehicle following a collision. Deputies examined the body and found no signs of life likely due to severe visible upper body injuries. Medical personnel arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced Ms. Smith deceased.
The vehicle involved was a black 2007 Toyota Tacoma.
Ms. Smith’s body was found more than 100 yards from her vehicle. Deputies checked the area to confirm there were no other injured parties involved in the collision. Initial indications, based on physical evidence at the scene, are that Ms. Smith’s vehicle crossed the roadway center line, struck a guard rail and rolled several times. It appears Ms. Smith was not wearing a seat belt. It is not known if alcohol was a factor, but no signs of alcohol or other indications of impairment were observed on scene. Smith’s body was released to the medical examiner’s office for follow-up.
According to YCSO, earlier in the evening, around 9:30 PM, deputies received an attempt to locate message from the Prescott Police Department regarding an erratic driver (possible DUI) in a black Toyota Tacoma.
A collision investigation team from the Sheriff’s Office is currently handling a review of the circumstances and evidence to determine cause.