Department of Public Safety detectives arrested 38-year-old Irma Linda Martinez, a Phoenix resident, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, for several criminal charges stemming from a roll-over collision that killed her 16-year-old daughter and seriously injured her 18-year-old son.The collision occurred at about 9:17 a.m. on Sunday, January 4.
Martinez was driving a sport utility vehicle at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit, westbound along I-10 at Cortaro Farms Road near the town of Marana.
Martinez lost control of the vehicle as it rotated clock-wise and slid into the right dirt shoulder where it rolled over at least one-and-a-half times coming to final rest on its roof.
Martinez’ son, Marco (Jr.), was ejected from the rear passenger compartment and sustained critical injury; he was not wearing a seat-belt. Marco was transported to University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson.
Martinez’ 16 year-old daughter, Christlyn, who was properly restrained was critically injured. She was also transported to UMC were she succumbed to her injuries.
Martinez sustained serious injuries and was released from the hospital on January 7.
DPS Detectives believe Martinez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision and booked her into the Pima County Jail for 2nd degree murder, aggravated assault with serious physical injury, aggravated assault dangerous instrument and five counts of endangerment.