1 killed, 3 hurt in head-on collision
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a fatal head-on collision that happened early Wednesday morning on Avenue G, just north of County 13th Street, that also left three others injured.
Agency spokesperson, Lt. Sam Pavlak said that at approximately 6:48 a.m. the sheriff’s office received a report of a two-vehicle injury collision at the location involving a black Jeep Cherokee and a gray Hyundai.
The initial investigation revealed that a gray 2006 Hyundai Sonata four door sedan and a black 1996 Jeep Cherokee had been traveling in opposite directions on Avenue G prior to the collision.
According to Pavlak, the driver of the Hyundai attempted to pass an unidentified vehicle that was also traveling northbound. The driver was unable to complete the passing maneuver and as a result struck the Jeep head on.
When firefighters from the Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department arrived on scene they found the gray sedan facing north in the southbound lane of Avenue G, with a black Jeep on top of it.
Due to the number of injuries, Somerton/Cocopah firefighters requested additional assistance from the San Luis, Marine Corps Air Station and Rural/Metro fire departments.
The front seat passenger of the gray sedan was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, who was able to get out of his vehicle on his own, was found lying on the west shoulder of Avenue G. All three occupants of the gray sedan were trapped inside their vehicle and had to be extricated using hydraulic power tools.
However, before firefighters could safely remove any of the trapped occupants of the gray sedan, they had to use rescue-struts to stabilize the Jeep, which was on top of it.
In order to get the rear seat passenger out, Somerton/Cocopah firefighters had to completely cut off the rear door and center post of the vehicle. That person was transported immediately afterwards to Yuma Regional Medical Center via emergency traffic.
Firefighters from MCAS Yuma then used hydraulic shears to cut away the back of the driver’s seat, after which the driver was extricated and transported to YRMC by Somerton/Cocopah ambulance.
The driver of the jeep Cherokee was also transported by Somerton/Cocopah ambulance. All three individuals were later flown to a Phoenix-area hospital with serious injuries.
This case is still under investigation. Alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor in this collision.
Anyone with information regarding this case, is askled to contact YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. People can also visit the YCSO website at www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.