Alcohol a factor in fatal Roger Road collision

Jean P. Villena-Celis
On May 17, 2014, at 2:35 a.m., Tucson Police Department officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision in the area of Roger Road and Mountain Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 2012 Dodge Charger and a 1991 Volkswagon 4-door which had been involved in a collision.

The driver of the Volkswagon, 63-year old Juan Lorenzo Avila-Arce, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Dodge Charger, 21-year old Jean P. Villena-Celis, was not injured. No one else was involved in the collision.

Detectives determined that the Volkswagon was traveling westbound on Roger Road passing through the intersection of Mountain Avenue, which is a 4-way stop. The Dodge Charger was traveling westbound on Roger Road at a high rate of speed. The Dodge Charger overtook and rear ended the Volkswagon in the intersection. The collision caused the Volkswagon to rotate and veer off the roadway into the dirt shoulder on the north side of the street. The Dodge Charger continued, out of control westbound, spinning off the roadway onto the north side dirt shoulder at Freemont Avenue.

Officers at the scene noticed signs and symptoms of intoxication on Villena-Celis. A DUI investigation was conducted and Villena-Celis was arrested. Villena-Celis was booked into the Pima County Jail for 1 count of 2nd Degree Murder and 1 count of Criminal Damage.

2nd-degree murderduihomicideJean P. Villena-CelisJuan Lorenzo Avila-Arcetpd