Driver killed in fiery crash ID’d as 17-year-old

The driver who died early Wednesday morning after his car struck an irrigation canal has been positively identified, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

Although his name is not being released, due to his age, the sheriff’s office has received positive confirmation as to the identity of the 17-year-old male juvenile and that he was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Next of kin notification has been made. The case is also still pending further investigation.

With the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau and RATTLER, the vehicle involved was also identified as a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu.

Deputies responded to the scene, which was in the area of South Avenue E and West County 10th Street, at about 3:45 a.m., where a vehicle had been reported on fire.

The initial investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling west on County 10th Street when it ran off the right (north) side of the road and struck an irrigation canal, which caused it to roll and come to rest on its roof.

When emergency personnel arrived on scene, they found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Critical Accident Response Team also responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

The driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.