Driver arrested in fatal crash
According to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, a 49-year-old Yuma man involved in a collision early Friday morning that killed another driver has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder.
At approximately 3:10 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle collision in the area of County 14th Street and Avenue G, near Somerton, and deputies responded to the area.
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 had failed to stop at the posted stop sign at County 14th Street and Avenue G.
The driver of the Ford van was pronounced dead at the scene. The identification of the driver is pending next of kin notification.
The driver of the Nissan
pickup, Jose Luis TapiaFierro, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
Tapia-Fierro was later taken into custody and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on suspicion of seconddegree murder, with a $250,000 cash-only bond.
The case remains under investigation. Alcohol does appear to be a factor in the collision, YCSO said.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. People can also submit an anonymous tip online at www. yumacountysheriff.org.