At approximately 1:52 p.m. on December 2, 2013, Tucson Police Department officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles that occurred at the intersection of East 22nd Street and South Kolb Road. While on their way to the area, the officers learned that one of the vehicles had overturned as a result of the collision. When the officers arrived to the scene of the collision, they discovered that an adult female occupant of the vehicle that had overturned had been partially ejected. She was fatally injured as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. She has been identified as 71-year old Thelma Torrez.
Detectives from the Traffic Investigations Unit responded to further the investigation. Their preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Toyota 4-Runner sports utility vehicle was traveling eastbound on East 22nd Street in the curb lane.A 1997 Ford Escort was traveling westbound on East 22nd Street in the inside left turn lane. The traffic signal light at the intersection of East 22nd Street and South Kolb Road was green for east and westbound traffic. The Ford Escort began making a left turn to drive southbound on South Kolb Road. While turning, the Ford Escort collided with the driver’ side rear wheel and quarter panel area of the Toyota 4-Runner as the sports utility vehicle was traveling through the intersection.
The collision caused the Toyota 4-Runner to rotate and roll. The driver of the Toyota 4-Runner was not wearing a seatbelt when the collision occurred, and she was partially ejected out of the driver’s door window as the vehicle rolled onto the driver’s side. There were no other occupants in the Toyota 4-Runner. The adult female driver and adult male passenger of the Ford Escort were not injured. The adult female driver of the Ford Escort was arrested for one count of Causing Serious Physical Injury or Death by a Moving Vehicle, Vehicle Turning Left at Intersection Failure to Yield, a misdemeanor violation. She has been identified as Marjorie Villacorte, 62-years old. Ms. Villacorte was cited and released at the scene.