Authorities believe that impairment was a factor in two of three recent fatal off-roading crashes in Yavapai County.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), on Friday evening, August 15, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Cherry Creek Road near Camp Verde.
Deputies found that a truck had veered off the dirt road on a hairpin curve and rolled down a 20-foot embankment. Unfortunately, the driver, and only occupant of the truck, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The initial investigation indicates impairment was a factor in the crash.
On Friday, August 22, around 10:30 PM, deputies responded to a report of a UTV that had rolled 50 feet down a ravine off Antelope Creek Road.
First responders discovered a passenger pinned under the overturned vehicle. Deputies performed life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived.
During the initial investigation, deputies were informed of two different stories as to who was the driver of the UTV. Deputies then learned who the suspected driver was and discovered evidence that he was intoxicated. The 35-year-old male driver from Surprise was subsequently arrested for DUI, False Reporting to Law Enforcement, and Aggravated Assault.
After the 49-year-old passenger was air-lifted to a Flagstaff hospital, he succumbed to the injuries the next morning.
On Monday morning, August 25th, deputies responded to a report of a UTV rollover accident near Casner Mountain in West Sedona. While enroute, deputies were informed that a 25-year-old male passenger had serious head injuries. Tragically, after arriving, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and two other passengers sustained minor injuries.
The initial investigation shows impairment is not believed to be a factor; the driver was trying to negotiate a downhill right-hand curve during a rainstorm, and the UTV rolled twice into the ditch, ejecting the passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt.
Other factors related to this crash are under investigation.